Jun Avila, who leases a farm plot in Kagman, said he caught a man in the act of cutting the pipe into pieces two weeks ago.
The water pipe, which was about 20 feet long and six inches deep, was dug up from the ground.
Avila said since he know the man cutting his pipes, he told him to stop it.
However, the man who also has his own farm plot in the area insisted the pipe belonged to him.
Avila said he decided not to argue and just watched the man continue cutting the pipe.
Avila recalled that in the past, some local farmers were allowed to have their own pipes.
But just a few years ago, a change in the Saipan Soil and Water Conservation District leadership also resulted a change in the policy.
Everything installed on the farm now belongs to the district.
Avila said the man should have taken the pipes prior to the changes that the district’s board made.
Now that new policy is in place, he cannot just take away a water pipe without informing the board, Avila said.
It was the second time that a theft incident took place on his farm.
Last year, three bunches of banana were stolen by unidentified men who rode a white truck.
