CUC deputy director for water and wasterwater Bruce Megarr and power division manager Garry P. Camacho said they have not received any report of water or power theft in the CNMI.
However, Megarr said he can’t rule out the possibility since there may be some “enterprising” consumers that will try to minimize their monthly bills at the expense of others.
He said his office is depending on consumers to “pay fairly” and to identify those who are illegally taking water supply.
An illegal activity may be detected if excessive usage of water during certain period of time is reported, Megarr said, adding that they might not catch the offender all the time but “we can nail them in proper time.”
Megarr said they have a high-technology device that can detect illegal tapping and usage of water supply.
He said his office also has a UV light motion sensitive camera that they can install in an area where they think that water theft is taking place.
Camacho, for his part, said the electric meter installed at their consumers’ houses or buildings is hard to tamper.
“All the mechanism in the meter is made of aluminum,” he said, as he dismissed any possibility of tampering by using magnetic devices.
