Brazilian water utility Sabesp has awarded Veolia contracts to upgrade a water treatment plant (WTP) and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in São Paulo state, increasing drinking water production and wastewater treatment capacity to strengthen water security for hundreds of thousands of residents.
At the Rio Grande WTP, Veolia will install an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system capable of treating 725L/sec, supplying enough drinking water for around 400,000 people. The UF technology provides an additional treatment barrier by removing suspended solids, bacteria and viruses, maintaining water quality even during periods of high turbidity or fluctuations in source water conditions.
The upgrade is expected to improve operational reliability while increasing treatment capacity through automated processes and more efficient energy use.
Meanwhile, the Campos do Jordão WWTP will almost double its treatment capacity from 250L/sec to 460L/sec using Veolia’s compact membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. Rather than constructing a new facility, the expansion will utilise existing infrastructure, reducing both capital expenditure and the project’s environmental footprint.
The WWTP serves a permanent population of around 55,000, but demand can increase to as many as 250,000 people during peak tourism periods. The additional treatment capacity is expected to reduce pressure on the Capivari, Sapucaí and Guaçu river systems by treating higher wastewater volumes before discharge.
The modernisation also incorporates upgraded chemical treatment processes designed to improve treatment efficiency while lowering energy consumption and operating costs.
The projects support Sabesp’s target of achieving universal access to basic sanitation by 2029, while strengthening resilience against growing water demand and protecting freshwater resources in one of Brazil’s most populous states.
“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,” 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, said the projects demonstrate how advanced treatment technologies can help utilities expand drinking water and wastewater infrastructure while improving environmental outcomes.