A resurgence of metal theft has disrupted water access for dozens of households across Belize and Corozal Districts, as thieves target Belize Water Services (BWS) infrastructure to harvest valuable copper for scrap sales.
In a statement released October 15, 2026, BWS officials confirmed that at least 29 water meters have been stolen in recent weeks, with 18 confirmed thefts recorded in Belize District and 11 in Corozal District. The scale of the problem became particularly stark earlier this week, when 11 meters were stolen from Corozal residences in a single 24-hour period.
Roberto Toriz, BWS Operations Manager, explained that the criminal operation follows a predictable pattern: thieves remove full water meters and connected valve assemblies from residential properties, strip the devices to extract their copper components, then sell the scrap metal for quick cash. Toriz noted this is not a new threat to BWS infrastructure; a similar wave of meter theft hit the region in December of the previous year, which tapered off before this sudden resurgence.
The financial impact of the crime extends far beyond the small payout thieves receive for scrap copper. Each new water meter costs BWS roughly $300 to replace, a sum that thieves never come close to recouping from selling the extracted copper. However, company officials emphasize that the most immediate burden falls on residential customers, who often lose running water for extended periods after a theft.
“When the metres are stolen, it does affect the customer, as they are out of water for a substantial amount of time, especially if it happens late at night or early in the morning,” said Paul Wade, BWS Assistant Customer Services Manager. While BWS operates a 24-hour emergency response team to restore service, responding to these repeated thefts draws heavily on the utility’s limited time, labor, and supply resources.
To curb the rising wave of thefts, BWS is calling on all residential customers to remain vigilant, and to report any unfamiliar or suspicious individuals loitering near residential water meter locations immediately. The utility notes that it currently covers the full cost of replacing stolen meters for affected customers, but repeated theft incidents at a single property could lead to the cost being passed on to the property owner going forward.