Sabesp achieves record low water loss in São Paulo as complaints double post‑privatization

The São Paulo water utility Sabesp reported a 24.4% water‑loss rate in 2024, the lowest among Brazil’s five largest capitals and meeting the 2033 target set by the national sanitation legal framework. The improvement follows more than R$ 1.6 billion invested in 2024‑2025 and a planned R$ 9 billion outlay to 2029, using satellite imagery, artificial‑intelligence‑driven leak detection, smart sensors on service vehicles, remote‑operation valves and internet‑connected meters.

In the year after Sabesp’s 2024 privatization, consumer complaints surged dramatically. Procon‑SP recorded over 25,200 complaints in 2025, more than double the 2024 total. Reclame Aqui logged 33,000 complaints, a 72.8% rise, while the state regulator Arsesp posted 12,400 complaints. The most common issues involve billing errors, over‑charging and service interruptions, exemplified by a resident who received a water bill of R$ 41 000 for a normally R$ 80 service. Only about 31% of the complaints were resolved, highlighting growing consumer dissatisfaction despite operational gains.