Spanish, Brazilian groups prepare Espírito Santo waterworks concession

Aracruz in Brazil's Espírito Santo state is preparing a concession that involves building and managing water supply and sewage collection and treatment systems in the city and eventually reaching universal coverage, according to local government documents.

The city is currently awaiting project studies that are being prepared by water and sanitation companies. One is being developed by the local unit of Spain's GS Inima and the other by Brazil's Aegea Saneamento e Participações.

Although the budgets have yet to be announced, the concession falls under the city's 239mn-real (US$75.2mn) municipal water and sanitation plan for 2016-35, which was developed by local consultancy firms FGV Projetos and Diamon Engenharia Demografia e Consultoria.

According to the sanitation plan, 153mn reais has been earmarked for sewerage works, 40.1mn reais for water supply, 29mn reais for rainwater drainage, and 16.6mn reais for solid waste management, the documents state.

Aracruz has a population of about 95,000 and is located 83km north of state capital Vitória.