Brazil's sanitation sector attracts R$33.3 bn in 2025 as universal water and sewage goals loom

Investments in Brazil’s sanitation infrastructure reached R$33.3 billion in 2025, an 11% real increase over the previous year. The surge follows the 2020 Novo Marco Legal do Saneamento, which created a more favorable environment for funding and is credited with spurring new projects, a R$27.6 billion industry turnover and about 59,000 jobs.

The sector still faces a gap: annual investment must rise to roughly R$50 billion to meet the legal targets of providing 99% of the population with potable water and 90% with sewage collection and treatment by 2033. Many municipalities invest far below the estimated R$225 per inhabitant needed for universal service, with several towns spending under R$100 per person.

Water distribution losses remain high. In 2023, 37.8% of treated water – about one litre out of every three – was lost before reaching consumers due to aging pipes, illegal connections and measurement gaps. Companies are deploying advanced leak‑detection technologies, including adapted space‑rover robots, trained dogs, acoustic sensors and AI‑driven monitoring, to cut losses and improve supply without costly new infrastructure.