Saigon Water Corporation (Sawaco) said on Wednesday that hundreds of water meters belonging to residents in District 1 and District 3 have been stolen over the past few months, and the culprit is still at large.  

According to Ben Thanh Water Supply Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of Sawaco, more than 50 water meters belonging to local residences have been stolen in August alone.

CCTV footage of several of the thefts shows a man on a bicycle riding up and down neighborhood streets from 11:00 pm until dawn, occasionally stopping at households, approaching water meters installed at the homes, and stealing them.

“Many households have had their water supplies cut because of the situation,” said a representative at Ben Thanh Water Supply Joint Stock Company.

“When our employees visited the affected residences, they discovered that the meters had been stolen.

“Furthermore, when the water meters were removed, it caused leakage and water loss.”

Sawaco has reported the situation to local authorities, claiming more than 150 water meters have been stolen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The firm also reinstalled meters at affected households as free service.

In May, more than 40 drain hole covers along Thu Thiem 2 Bridge in Ho Chi Minh City were stolen within a week of the bridge’s inauguration. 

The culprit was later apprehended by police.

He claimed to have stolen the drain hole covers in order to resell them for a profit.

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