Sabesp strengthens water security in Brazil by upgrading water and wastewater treatment facilities with support from Veolia

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• At the Rio Grande water treatment plant, a new treatment module featuring Veolia’s world-leading ultrafiltration technology will process 725 liters per second, enough to meet the water consumption needs of 400,000 inhabitants.
• Capacity at the Campos do Jordão wastewater treatment plant will be increased from 250 liters per second to 460 liters per second, leveraging existing infrastructure thanks to Veolia's ultracompact new generation technology.

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Sabesp, Brazil’s largest sanitation company and one of the world’s largest, has selected Veolia, the global leader in water treatment technologies, to improve the efficiency of water and wastewater treatment plants in the state of São Paulo. By implementing state-of-the-art systems and solutions, the partnership aims to strengthen water security for local communities across the region.

Rio Grande Water Treatment Plant: Advanced technology delivers additional safety barrier

The Rio Grande water treatment plant will adopt Veolia’s ultrafiltration membrane technology to increase water production while improving efficiency. This cutting-edge technology consistently removes microscopic particles, including viruses and pathogens, even under challenging conditions such as high turbidity or sudden changes in source water quality that conventional treatment processes cannot address. The system is FDA-approved for potable water applications, ensuring the highest safety standards for drinking water. The new treatment module will process 725 liters per second, enough to meet the consumption needs of 400,000 residents. 

The solution strengthens public health protection while ensuring greater reliability in water quality. With improved energy efficiency and automated treatment processes, the system enables smarter, safer and more resilient water supply management for the population. This expansion demonstrates how technological innovation future-proofs essential infrastructure, creating durable solutions built to meet communities' needs.

Campos do Jordão Wastewater Treatment Plant: Modernization to meet seasonal demand and preserve water resources

By deploying Veolia’s innovative, ultra-compact membrane bioreactor technology, Sabesp will increase the facility’s treatment capacity from 250 to 460 liters per second. The Campos do Jordão wastewater treatment plant, located in one of São Paulo state’s premier tourist destinations, serves a fixed population of approximately 55,000 inhabitants and accommodates peak seasonal demand of up to 250,000 people. This expansion will help protect and restore critical freshwater sources including the Capivari, Sapucaí and Guaçu rivers.

This upgrade leverages existing infrastructure while integrating advanced chemical removal systems that enhance efficiency and sustainability. Through specialized techniques and processes, the modernization enables the facility to treat substantially greater volumes of wastewater  while reducing energy consumption and operational costs. The upgrade strengthens environmental security by ensuring reliable access to vital freshwater resources and protecting the ecological systems that communities depend on.

“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, Sabesp’s Executive Director of Engineering and Innovation.

Mauro Cruz, Executive Vice President of Veolia's water technologies activities in Latin America, concluded: "These two projects represent a significant milestone in our partnership with Sabesp. They exemplify our shared commitment to delivering innovative solutions that address Brazil's mounting water resource challenges — from expanding drinking water capacity to modernizing wastewater treatment. Grounded in Veolia's GreenUp strategic program, this work harnesses technological innovation to advance water security, public health and environmental protection, demonstrating what is possible when world-leading expertise meets local commitment."

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ABOUT SABESP

Sabesp (São Paulo State Basic Sanitation Company) is responsible for water supply and sewage collection and treatment in 375 municipalities in the state of São Paulo, serving 28 million residents. It is one of the largest environmental sanitation companies in the world and the largest in Brazil. The Company will advance five decades in five years, expanding access to drinking water and basic sanitation for millions of people. Its commitment is to achieve the goals established by the Legal Framework for Sanitation four years ahead of schedule, thereby planning to provide dignity, health, and sustainable development for millions of Brazilians while preserving natural resources for future generations. www.sabesp.com.br 

ABOUT VEOLIA

Veolia, a global leader in environmental services, works every day to build environmental security for the benefit of public health and the competitiveness of industries and regions. With 215,000 employees across five continents, working closely with local communities, and thanks to its cutting-edge technologies, the group cleans up pollution, reduces carbon emissions, and regenerates resources through concrete solutions that combine its expertise in water and water technologies, waste - including hazardous waste management, and local energy. In 2025, the Veolia group served 110 million people with drinking water and 97 million with sanitation, produced 45 million megawatt hours of energy, and treated 64 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE, Fortune 500, SBF 120) generated consolidated revenue of €44.4 billion in 2025. www.veolia.com 

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