- Business
- Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo (Sabesp) is a leading Brazilian water and sewage utility company providing comprehensive water supply, sewage collection and treatment services, urban rainwater management, drainage, urban cleaning, and solid waste management services. Its core operations encompass water extraction, treatment, and distribution; sanitary sewage services; industrial wastewater treatment; and energy commercialization related to its infrastructure. Sabesp serves over 375 municipalities within the state of São Paulo, including the metropolitan area, Baixada Santista, and Vale do Ribeira regions, providing water supply to approximately 28.1 million people and sewage services to over 25 million people. The company also offers advisory services and manages extensive infrastructure comprising reservoirs, water treatment plants, and distribution networks.
Founded in 1973 and headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, Sabesp has expanded through acquisitions and strategic initiatives. Notably, in 2025, Sabesp announced the acquisition of EMAE (Empresa Metropolitana de Águas e Energia SA), a hydroelectric power generation company with operations in São Paulo and surrounding regions, marking Sabesp's entry into the electric power sector and strengthening its water security through integrated resource management. Additionally, Sabesp secured its first concession awarded by competitive bidding for sanitation services in Olímpia municipality, reflecting a strategic shift towards expanding its footprint via concession contracts. The company is also executing a significant modernization plan with a capital investment program of R$70 billion through 2029, including the deployment of IoT-enabled smart water meters, artificial intelligence for operations monitoring and leakage detection, 3D printing for parts manufacturing, ultrafiltration water treatment systems, and sustainable odor control technologies at sewage stations.
Sabesp focuses on serving residential, commercial, industrial, and government customers across its operating regions in the state of São Paulo. Its investments target expanding infrastructure capacity for water supply and sewage treatment to meet growing demand and regulatory requirements, supported by a detailed capital expenditure plan of approximately R$23.8 billion for 2022–2026. The company also undertakes energy commercialization activities linked to its water and sewage operations, leveraging renewable energy sources through its expanded asset base. Sabesp's operations and strategic initiatives underscore its role as one of the world's largest sanitation companies by population served, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and integrated resource management in its business model.