Veolia has been chosen to design and implement Brazil’s most advanced municipal wastewater reuse system aimed at industrial applications. The new Águas de Reúso de Vitória Water Reclamation Station (Vitória WRS) represents a step forward in the country’s ongoing efforts to combat water scarcity and meet sustainability goals.
The state-of-the-art system will process 450 liters per second (l/s) or 38,880 cubic meters per day (m³/d) of municipal wastewater from the Camburi basin in Vitória. By recycling 85% of the region’s wastewater, the facility will provide reclaimed water to industrial users, freeing up freshwater resources equivalent to the needs of nearly 200,000 people. This move supports industries in becoming more resilient by relying on alternative water sources, while also safeguarding natural water supplies.
As the first project of its kind in Brazil, the Vitória WRS tackles a long-standing challenge for the country, where water reuse currently accounts for less than 1% of total water consumption, according to the Brazilian Water Agency (ANA). The project sets an important precedent for decentralized, advanced water recycling solutions, potentially paving the way for broader adoption of sustainable water practices throughout Latin America.
By recycling 85% of the region’s wastewater, the facility will provide reclaimed water to industrial users, freeing up freshwater resources equivalent to the needs of nearly 200,000 people
The initiative arose from Brazil’s first public tender for water reuse and is a joint venture between GS INIMA and the Espírito Santo Sanitation Company (CESAN). The project will provide a sustainable water supply to major industrial players in the region, such as ArcelorMittal and Vale, both crucial to the socio-economic development of Espírito Santo.
Vitória WRS will be the world’s first large-scale facility to transform a municipal wastewater treatment plant into a water reuse production station using cutting-edge technologies, including membrane bioreactors and reverse osmosis. The station will integrate several of Veolia’s advanced solutions, including:
- memDENSE™ membrane bioreactor for compact biological treatment
- ZeeWeed™ 500-EV ultrafiltration membranes for efficient solids separation
- PROflex™ reverse osmosis for high-recovery contaminant removal
These technologies will tackle challenges such as biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal, providing a reliable and cost-effective supply of high-quality water suitable for industrial use while conserving natural freshwater resources.
Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, said, “For Veolia, partnering with organizations like GS INIMA, who share our commitment to sustainable water resource management, exemplifies how we bring our strategic GreenUp program to life. By leveraging our most advanced proprietary technologies, we’re helping our partners achieve their goals while actively preserving water resources. This project is a true breakthrough for Brazilian sanitation and sets a new benchmark for sustainability across Latin America.”
Paulo Roberto, President of GS INIMA in Brazil, added, “Our presence in Brazil has been marked by pioneering efforts and innovation. Since the 1990s, we’ve introduced several groundbreaking technologies to the Brazilian market, either developed internally or through strategic partnerships. Incorporating Veolia's technology into this Vitória project has resulted in a winning and competitive partnership, ensuring greater technical, economic, and environmental feasibility. Our mission is to enhance Brazilian sanitation with quality and operational excellence, expanding sustainable water solutions in the country, such as water reuse and desalination. We already oversee Aquapolo, the largest water reuse project in Brazil, and now, in Vitória, we lead the first water reuse subconcession, catering to major industrial clients — a milestone in Brazilian sanitation aligned with our corporate purpose.”
