MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE CURRENT CONTEXT OF THE SECTOR
New environmental solutions and businesses In the last few years, Sabesp has been striving to operate in new markets, other than the stricto sensu provision of water supply and sewage drainage services, expansing its activities abroad and developing solutions that optimize productive processes and contribute to preserving natural resources. We have established consultancy agreements regarding rational water use and business/ operational management in Panama, where, in partnership with Latin Consult, we serve 68 cities and developed a model to be followed throughout the country by the local concessionaire, Idaan; and in Honduras, where we provide technical support to modernize the water and sewage system. These projects jointly total R$ 11.5 million. Sabesp also holds partnerships with two state-owned sanitation companies: Casal, in Alagoas, and Cesan, in Espírito Santo. With Casal, the purpose is to mitigate actual and apparent water losses, assisting the company to face intermittent supply. With the company’s interventions, which began in 2009, we managed to reduce all recorded losses in Maceió by 50%. The contract covers R$ 25 million and extends through October 2014. Cesan’s contract covers the installation and customization of the Aqualog software, developed and owned by Sabesp, in the municipality of Nova Venécia (ES). Totaling R$ 1.3 million, installation activities are currently being concluded. The Sabesp Environmental Solutions platform’s main initiatives are the Pura (Rational Water Use Program) and other activities regarding the production of reclaimed water. Such actions are detailed in the chapter "Reliable water supply in an environment of shortage". Other environmental solution initiatives are loyalty contracts entered with major clients and consumers, which accounted for an annual
50 2012 sustainability report
income of R$ 275 million for the company; an increase of 18% compared to the previous year. A total of 144 new contracts were signed in 2012. Non-domestic sewage treatment arising from productive processes of Sabesp’s customers generated an income of R$ 180 million – a 1% drop compared to 2011. Within this modality, 23.6 million cubic meters were collected and treated in 2012. Also in this context, we expect to operate Attend Ambiental by 2014; a partnership with Estre Ambiental destined to implement and operate a sludge conditioning non-domestic wastewater treatment plant in Barueri, within RMSP. We are currently working with Alto Tietê cities, in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, to implement a solid waste handling unit destined for power generation. A regional waste management plan has already been developed, and Sabesp will be responsible for contracting the institutional model regarding the call for submissions to obtain a partner for the project. Also regarding the use of gas generated in sewage treatment processes, the company will develop, along with Comgás, a business model that allows the conversion of the biogas in natura generated by Sabesp (namely in the ABC and Barueri STPs) into biomethane to be distributed among the concessionaire’s pipelines. Additional information regarding our environmental solution projects are available at sabesp.com.br.
Research and innovation 2012 was particularly relevant for the company in terms of research, development and innovation investments (RD&I). Total investments reached R$ 6.3 million, well above the historical average and practically two-times the amount spent last year. Such increase stems from projects implemented by Sabesp in search of new technologies that allow the