Sabesp Strengthens Water Security In Brazil With Veolia Upgrades

Sabesp, Brazil’s largest sanitation company and one of the world’s largest water utilities, has selected Veolia to upgrade water and wastewater treatment plants across the state of São Paulo. By deploying advanced treatment technologies, the partnership aims to improve operational efficiency and strengthen water security for communities throughout the region.

The Rio Grande Water Treatment Plant will incorporate Veolia’s ultrafiltration membrane technology to increase drinking water production while enhancing treatment performance. The system is designed to remove microscopic particles, including viruses and pathogens, even during periods of high turbidity or sudden fluctuations in raw water quality that can challenge conventional treatment processes. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for potable water applications, the technology provides an additional safeguard for drinking water quality.

The new treatment module will process 725 litres per second, supplying enough drinking water to meet the needs of around 400,000 residents.

In addition to strengthening public health protection, the upgrade will improve energy efficiency and automate key treatment processes, enabling more reliable, resilient and efficient water supply management. The project highlights how advanced technologies can help future-proof critical water infrastructure.

At the Campos do Jordão Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sabesp will deploy Veolia’s compact membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology to increase treatment capacity from 250 to 460 litres per second.

Located in one of São Paulo state’s most popular tourist destinations, the facility serves a permanent population of around 55,000 people, with demand rising to as many as 250,000 during peak holiday periods. The expansion will help protect important freshwater resources, including the Capivari, Sapucaí and Guaçu rivers.

The upgrade makes use of existing infrastructure while integrating advanced nutrient and chemical removal technologies to improve treatment efficiency and sustainability. The modernised facility will be able to process significantly larger volumes of wastewater while reducing energy consumption and operating costs, supporting both environmental protection and long-term water security.

“By 2029, our goal is to provide basic sanitation for everyone, and improvements like these underscore Sabesp’s commitment to building resilient systems that ensure a reliable water supply and high-quality water for the entire population. Wastewater treatment is equally essential to this effort to restore streams, rivers and water sources. In this regard, planning, technology and engineering innovation are the pillars of our projects,” said Roberval Tavares, executive director of engineering and innovation at Sabesp.

Mauro Cruz, executive vice president of Veolia’s water technologies business in Latin America, added: “These two projects represent a significant milestone in our partnership with Sabesp. They demonstrate our shared commitment to delivering innovative solutions that address Brazil’s growing water challenges, from expanding drinking water capacity to modernising wastewater treatment. Guided by Veolia’s GreenUp strategic programme, these projects harness technological innovation to strengthen water security, protect public health and safeguard the environment.”