The Águas do Brasil Group – Environmental Sanitation Águas do Brasil is a privately held corporation, holding concessionaires in the private sector of water supply services, sewage collection and treatment. Founded in 1998, it is among the largest companies in the sector in the country, and its operations bring quality of life and health to millions of inhabitants.
With an experienced technical staff and investments in innovation and the implementation of new facilities, the Group aims to contribute to solving the challenge of basic sanitation in Brazil, making services universal. For this, throughout its trajectory, it has accumulated great experience in the management and operation of concessionaires in municipalities with different geographical, economic and social conditions. In the private segment, the Group also manages the treatment of water and industrial effluents, contributing to the sustainability chain of companies.
Its operational presence takes place in three Brazilian states – Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais –, aimed at serving individuals and companies in the residential, commercial, industrial and public categories. In Rio de Janeiro, the Group is responsible for nine concessions distributed in 12 municipalities: Resende, Niterói, Nova Friburgo, Paraty, Petrópolis, Teresópolis, Campos dos Goytacazes, Paraíba do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Araruama, Saquarema and Silva Jardim. In São Paulo, there are two concessions in two municipalities: Votorantim and Jaú. In Minas Gerais, it operates a concessionaire in the city of Pará de Minas.
With Block 3 of Cedae, awarded in an auction held in December 2021, the company took over, in the second half of 2022, the sanitation services of another 18 municipalities in the state. Rio + Saneamento has operated since then in Bom Jardim, Carapebus, Carmo, Itaguaí, Macuco, Natividade, Paracambi, Pinheiral, Piraí, Rio Claro, Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro AP-5, São Fidélis, São José de Ubá, Seropédica , Sumidouro, Trajano de Moraes and Vassouras. The Group has been operating in Planning Area 5 – AP 5 since 2012, through the concessionaire Zona Oeste Mais Saneamento.
• Approximately 5 thousand employees
• 32 municipalities served
• 15 concessions and 2 industrial units
• Total population served over 5.1 million inhabitants
• Long-term concession contracts with more than 25 years
*Data from Grupo Águas do Brasil, Rio+Saneamento and Zona Oeste Mais.
• Number of water savings: 973.494
• Number of sewage savings: 1.395.460
• Number of water treatment plants: 77
• Number of sewage treatment plants: 85
2022
In 2022, Grupo Águas do Brasil joined the Rede Brasil do Pacto Global, an initiative of the United Nations (UN) to mobilize the business community to adopt and promote, in their business practices, Ten Principles universally accepted in the areas of human rights human rights, labor, the environment and the fight against corruption. In addition, it adhered to the Business Pact for Integrity and Against Corruption, of the Ethos Institute. The pact is a voluntary commitment assumed by private and public companies, whose objective is to unite them in promoting a more honest and ethical market and reducing different corrupt practices.
Three of its concessionaires occupied the top three places in the 2022 Sanitation Ranking by the Trata Brasil Institute. Niterói remains in first place among the 100 largest Brazilian cities, followed by Petrópolis and Campos dos Goytacazes.
In March, the concession contract for Rio+Saneamento was signed and, in August, the concessionaire began full management of water and sewage services in 18 municipalities in the state of Rio, including 22 neighborhoods in the West Zone of the capital. Rio+ will invest BRL 4.7 billion over the 35 years of the concession. Part of the investments will be made in the first decade of the contract. Infrastructure works, sewage treatment and maintenance of existing networks will be carried out. In the West Zone communities, R$ 350 million will be invested.
In May, the Group launched its first Sustainability Report in line with the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The document reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainable growth, highlighting ESG results and initiatives, in accordance with international standards.
The company was featured in the 9th edition of the Panorama of Private Participation in Sanitation with the Fluid system, an initiative that is part of the Água de Valor Program. Rio+Saneamento, the Group’s new company, stood out in terms of expanding private participation and job creation. The Águas de Juturnaíba concessionaires (Reviving Águas Claras and regional operations) also gained space in the Panorama, in addition to Águas das Agulhas Negras, Águas de Pará de Minas, Águas de Jahu and Águas do Imperador (Trata Oil Program).
The Group launched, in partnership with the consultancy Innoscience, its first connection program with startups, in order to seek innovative solutions to face the challenges of a large company in the sector. The Faucet Lab aims to add value to the business, improve customer perception and positively impact the journey of employees in the Group.
Mission
Provide treated water supply and sewage collection and treatment services, prioritizing service to our customers, valuing our professionals and the interests of shareholders, with operational excellence, growing sustainably and contributing to the quality of life of the population.
Vision
Be recognized for excellence in providing basic sanitation services, through the quality and efficiency of all its businesses, with strict socio-environmental responsibility, contributing to the health and well-being of the population.
Values
• Ethics: transparency, legality, coherence and justice in everything we do.
• Simplicity: discretion and guarantee of uncomplicated and effective solutions.
• Respect: acceptance of differences, listening and empathy.
• Long-Term Vision: thinking about the future and business sustainability.
• Commitment: motivation, commitment and responsibility towards the organization.
• Efficiency: excellence in processes, technology and people.
• Socio-environmental Responsibility: socio-environmental awareness that sustains future generations.
For the production of this document, we considered the premises established in our ESG Strategy, the principles of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the results of the materiality process carried out with our stakeholders . Thus, the priority themes that guide the presented content were identified.
Throughout the document, the six material topics are set out in four thematic chapters, which follow the pillars of our ESG Strategy and bring together the progress of the Group’s organizational, social and environmental initiatives.
Click here to access the Sustainability Report of the Águas do Brasil Group
- Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) – Association formed in January 2023. It is a non-profit civil association that promotes sustainable development through articulation with governments and civil society, in addition to disseminating the most important concepts and practices current topics. Our participation reinforces the purpose of sustainable development through basic sanitation.
Website: https://cebds.org/#
- Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) – joining the membership of the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) took place in March 2023. Civil society organization, national and international reference in corporate governance. Its objective is to generate and disseminate knowledge in corporate governance and influence the most diverse agents in the adoption of best practices, contributing to the sustainable performance of organizations and, consequently, to a better society. Working with the IBGC reinforces our commitment to more efficient management.
Website: https://www.ibgc.org.br/
- Ethos Institute for Business and Social Responsibility – Joined the institute in March 2023. Ethos is an OSCIP (Civil Society Organization of Public Interest) whose mission is to mobilize, raise awareness and help companies to manage their businesses in a socially responsible manner , making them partners in building a just and sustainable society. Working with Ethos makes it possible for the Group to participate in important forums and tools for compliance and management, through adherence to the Business Pact for Integrity and Against Corruption of the Ethos Institute.
Website: https://www.ethos.org.br/conteudo/o-instituto/
- Global Compact (UN) – Accession took place in December 2021. The Global Compact is a call for companies to align their strategies and operations with the Ten Universal Principles in the areas of Human Rights, Labor, Environment and Anti-Corruption and to develop actions that contribute to the tackling societal challenges. Adherence to the Global Compact of the United Nations (UN) reinforces the Group’s commitment to following its ten universal principles in its day-to-day operations.
- Association and National Union of Private Concessionaires of Public Water and Sewage Services (Abcon/Sindcon)
- National Quality Committee and Thematic Technical Chamber of Performance Indicators for Environmental Sanitation of the Brazilian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (Abes)
- Study Commissions promoted by the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT)
- Business Council for the Environment and Working Groups on Atmospheric Emissions and Environmental Licensing of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan)
National Sanitation Quality Award (PNQS)
Five of our concessionaires were recognized in the award promoted by the Brazilian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (Abes) in 2022, in the category “The Best in Environmental Sanitation Management (AMEGSA)”: Águas do Paraíba (Quiron Platinum ESG Trophy – Level III) ; Águas de Pará de Minas (Quiron Gold Trophy – Level II); Águas de Niterói (Silver Chiron Trophy – Level II). Águas de Juturnaíba and Águas de Nova Friburgo (Level II and Level I finalists, respectively, Classic AMEGSA).
ABES ESG Index Certification
We received the A- concept in the ABES ESG Index, a certificate awarded to organizations in the environmental sanitation sector that are committed to the best environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. The ABES ESG Index uses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the base structure for obtaining certification. We were the first company in the industry to receive recognition.
GPTW Certification
For the second consecutive year, we were certified as one of the best places to work in Brazil, according to the global consultancy Great Place to Work (GPTW). Our final grade was 82, which represents 7 points more than in 2021.
Cases of Success & Innovation and Technology – Instituto Trata Brasil
Águas do Paraíba and the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes received recognition promoted by the Trata Brasil Institute in the Sanitary Sewage category. The award evaluated the 100 largest Brazilian municipalities present in the Sanitation Ranking.
Overview of Private Participation in Sanitation 2022
Our projects were highlighted in the ninth edition of the Panorama of Private Participation in Sanitation as successful examples in the country. The Group was highlighted with the Fluid system, an initiative that is part of the Água de Valor Program. Rio+Saneamento was recognized for expanding private participation and job creation. The Águas de Juturnaíba concessionaires (Reviving Águas Claras and regional operations) also gained space in the Panorama, in addition to Águas das Agulhas Negras, Águas de Pará de Minas, Águas de Jahu and Águas do Imperador (Trata Oil Program).
Environmentally Friendly Company
Águas de Pará de Minas received the title of Environmentally Friendly Company from the City Council, due to the basic sanitation rates in the city and the Environmental Look, Tract Oil and Eternal Waters programs. Recognition is given annually to people and institutions that stand out in environmental preservation.
Culture Friendly Company
Águas de Nova Friburgo received the Empresa Amiga da Cultura certificate, an honor granted by the City Hall with the objective of praising companies that encourage the sector in the municipality