Membrane Systems Expand Water Treatment Capacity in São Paulo

Sabesp is implementing new membrane-based treatment systems at the Rio Grande water treatment plant and Campos do Jordão wastewater treatment plant in São Paulo state, Brazil. The upgrades address drinking-water production, wastewater capacity and variations in demand while making use of existing treatment infrastructure where possible.

Water Treatment Capacity at Rio Grande 
At the Rio Grande water treatment plant, Sabesp will install a new treatment module based on Veolia ultrafiltration membrane technology. The module is designed to process 725 liters per second, corresponding to the stated water consumption requirements of approximately 400,000 inhabitants.

Ultrafiltration provides a physical membrane barrier capable of removing microscopic suspended material and microorganisms, including viruses and pathogens. According to the project information, the process is intended to maintain treatment performance during high turbidity and sudden variations in source-water quality.

The additional treatment stage is also designed to increase water production and provide another barrier within the drinking-water treatment process. Automation will support control of treatment operations and water-quality management.

Wastewater Upgrade Addresses Seasonal Demand
Sabesp is also expanding the Campos do Jordão wastewater treatment plant using Veolia's compact membrane bioreactor technology. Treatment capacity will rise from 250 to 460 liters per second, an increase of 84%.

The plant serves a permanent population of approximately 55,000 people, while seasonal demand in the tourist destination can reach the equivalent of 250,000 people.

Membrane bioreactor systems combine biological wastewater treatment with membrane separation. This configuration allows treated water and suspended solids to be separated within a relatively compact footprint, enabling additional treatment capacity where available space or existing infrastructure limits conventional expansion.

Integration With Existing Infrastructure
The Campos do Jordão project is designed to use existing infrastructure while adding membrane treatment and chemical removal processes. This approach allows Sabesp to increase wastewater throughput without requiring an entirely new treatment facility.

The additional capacity is intended to improve wastewater management during seasonal population peaks and reduce untreated pollutant loads entering regional freshwater systems. The project is associated with protection of the Capivari, Sapucaí and Guaçu rivers.

Sabesp has set a target of providing universal basic sanitation by 2029. The Rio Grande and Campos do Jordão upgrades form part of infrastructure improvements intended to expand drinking-water production and wastewater treatment capacity while improving operational resilience.

Edited by Sucithra Mani, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

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