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Four major sanitation PPPs may go to auction in 2026 and change the scale of concessions in the country. The projects total R$ 20.3 billion, reach 477 municipalities, and could mark the largest volume of offers since the legal framework of 2020.
Four major sanitation PPPs may reach the market in 2026 with the potential to change the scale of concessions in the country. Together, the projects total R$ 20.3 billion in planned investments and are expected to serve 477 municipalities, a number that positions the next year to be the strongest for this type of auction since the legal framework of 2020.
The data, gathered by Abcon and disclosed to agenciainfra.com, indicate a possible significant turnaround in the sector. If the projects materialize, the projected volume will more than double everything that has been contracted in sanitation PPPs over the past six years.
Since 2020, only six PPP projects have been auctioned, with R$ 17.3 billion in contracted investments and service to 264 cities. Now, just the four projects in preparation already exceed this amount and significantly expand the regional reach of the operations.
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Goiás led the queue with an auction in March
The most advanced modeling is in Goiás, where the auction was scheduled for March 25. The Saneago project foresees an administrative concession aimed at sanitation in 216 municipalities, divided into three blocks, with investments of R$ 6.3 billion.
The notice was published on the 22nd, and the structure was designed by Seinfra in conjunction with Saneago, with structuring by BNDES. The criterion for choosing the winners will be the lowest value of public consideration.
In practice, this type of design preserves the state company’s role in water supply and transfers to the private partner the collection and treatment of sewage, an area that usually concentrates the largest investment deficits.
PPP became a bet to accelerate sewage and hold the tariff
Abcon assesses that 2026 could be the “year of PPPs” for two main reasons. One is the regulatory change made in 2023, when the government removed the cap that limited the sub-delegation of contracts by sanitation providers to 25%.
This cap was in the 2020 legal framework. At the time, the Bolsonaro government defended the restriction on the grounds of avoiding overlapping structures and inefficiencies in state companies. However, the current administration decided to review the rule and paved the way for states to expand the adoption of this model.
Another point observed by the sector is the tariff. As the auctions have prioritized proposals with lower public consideration, the current interpretation is that PPPs can reduce direct pressure on the final amount paid by the user, although each model depends on local regulation.
Ceará, Paraíba, and Rio Grande do Norte complete the package
In addition to Goiás, three other projects appear on the association’s radar for 2026. In Ceará, the public consultation has already ended, and the proposal covers sewage for 128 municipalities, with R$ 6.9 billion in investments.
In Paraíba, the modeling is still in public consultation, aiming to reach 85 cities and move R$ 3.1 billion. In Rio Grande do Norte, the study is still under development, but the expectation is to serve 48 municipalities and generate R$ 4.1 billion in contributions.
Combined, the four PPP projects could serve 477 municipalities and reach R$ 20.3 billion in investments. The count reinforces the scale of the movement the sector expects to see in 2026, especially in the area of sewage treatment.
The sector still has concessions and privatization on the radar
Abcon’s list for 2026 also includes two major concession projects: block D of Alagoas, with water and sewage in 21 cities, and Rondônia, also for water and sewage, with 45 municipalities and R$ 4.9 billion in expected investments. In total, these six models highlighted by the entity reach 543 cities and 10.992 million people served, with R$ 27.5 billion in resources.
The sector is also monitoring the possible privatization of Copasa, in Minas Gerais, following the sanction of the law that allows the sale of the state-owned company’s control. Meanwhile, December already closed with the auction of two sanitation blocks in Pernambuco, won by the manager Pátria and the consortium Pernambuco Saneamento, formed by BRK and Acciona.
Since 2020, Abcon has counted 62 tenders in the sector, with R$ 200 billion in contracted investments and R$ 61.4 billion raised in grants or bids. The numbers show that sanitation has firmly entered the race for large assets and that 2026 could consolidate a new phase for PPPs in the country. If the pace is confirmed, the market should enter the next year with a full agenda and even more intense disputes. Tell us in the comments what you think of this expansion and share the article with those who follow the sector.
