Sabesp Privatisation Cuts Water Bills 15%, Says Governor
Governor Tarcísio de Freitas says Sabesp tariffs are 15% lower thanks to privatisation. With R$70 billion in planned investments, here’s how it affects residents and investors. The post Sabesp Privatisation Cuts Water Bills 15%, Says Governor appeared first on The Rio Times .
Governor Tarcísio de Freitas claims that the Sabesp privatisation has resulted in a 15% reduction in water and sewer bills for households and investors in the region. This lower tariff is written into the law and the contract, and it is a legal and contractual promise, according to the governor. The privatisation, which closed in July 2024, saw the state sell 32% of its shares for R$14.8 billion (US$2.9 billion) to Equatorial Energia, resulting in the state's ownership dropping to around 18.3%.
The company is now expected to invest R$70 billion (US$13.7 billion) under the post-privatisation contract, aiming to bring water and sewer service to all 375 municipalities it serves by 2029. The state government has already seen significant investment, with R$15.2 billion (US$3.0 billion) allocated to infrastructure in 2025 alone, a 120% increase from 2024.
Sabesp's long-term plan envisions about R$200 billion (US$39.2 billion) in investments by 2060, covering expansion in water supply and sewage collection and treatment across the state. While the 15% reduction in tariffs is a benefit for consumers, investors see the privatisation as a new chapter for the company, with clear expansion goals.
However, there are risks to consider, including ongoing disputes over the merger with EMAE and a probe by the São Paulo public prosecutor into both privatisations.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
