Between 19 August and 15 October 2014, private water concessionaire Saneamento Ambiental Águas do Brasil (Águas do Brasil) has had a strong showing with two concession wins in São Paulo, and it has been shortlisted for a new concession in Pará de Minas, Minas Gerais.
Águas do Brasil is the third largest private water operator in Brazil serving over two million people, primarily in Rio de Janeiro. The firm was created as a partnership between four local construction firms in 1997 and rapidly gained market share through large concessions in Rio de Janeiro between 1997 and 2000. Since then, it has grown slowly– adding three contracts in the last five years.
Águas do Brasil provides full utility services in most of its core concessions in Rio de Janeiro state with both water supply and wastewater services. In São Paolo state, the firm’s presence to date has been limited to partial concessions for wastewater treatment.
Bluefield Takeaways
- Itu concession tests Águas do Brasils drought remediation capability in São Paulo
- Águas do Brasil, Aegea seek scale to rival market leaders Foz do Brasil, CAB Ambiental
- Municipal finance challenges, wastewater deficiencies point to steady stream of opportunities
