Sabesp Privatisation Cuts Water Bills 15%, Says Governor
Key Facts
- Claim made — Governor Tarcísio de Freitas said on 9 August 2026 that water and sewer tariffs are 15% lower than they would be without the privatisation of Sabesp.
- Privatisation done — The state sold 32% of Sabesp shares for R$14.8 billion (US$2.9 billion) in July 2024.
- Investment plan — Sabesp is committed to R$70 billion (US$13.7 billion) in investments to universalise sanitation by 2029.
- Quick spending — In 2025 alone, Sabesp invested R$15.2 billion (US$3.0 billion), up 120% from the year before the sale.
- Municipal payouts — Since privatisation, the company has passed R$3.6 billion (US$705 million) to 220 municipalities.
- Long-term view — The company’s plan foresees about R$200 billion (US$39.2 billion) in investments by 2060.
- Partial stake — The state’s holding fell from 50.8% to about 18.3% after the deal, according to market reports.
Tarcísio de Freitas says tariffs are below what they would be without the sale. Investment plans top R$70 billion.
The Sabesp privatisation has made your water and sewer bill 15% lower than it would be if the company had stayed in state hands. That is the claim made by Governor Tarcísio de Freitas during a debate on 9 August 2026. He said the discount is written into the law and into the contract. It reshaped Brazil’s largest water utility, and it matters for every household and investor in the region.
Sabesp privatisation: The 15% Claim Explained
Tarcísio didn’t say there was a simple 15% cut from old bills. He described a comparison: tariffs are 15% below the level they would have reached under a public Sabesp.
The news site Poder360 reported his exact words on 9 August 2026. SpaceMoney says the contract set a lower adjustment path than if the company had stayed state-owned.
The exact formula behind the 15% figure hasn’t been fully released in public documents. But the governor insists it’s a legal and contractual promise.
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How the Privatisation Worked
The privatisation closed in July 2024. The state sold 32% of its shares in a secondary offering, raising R$14.8 billion (US$2.9 billion).
The buyer was Equatorial Energia, which took control of Sabesp. After the deal, the state’s stake dropped from 50.8% to about 18.3%, though that number comes from market reports rather than an official filing.
The company still operates under the Sabesp name, with Carlos Augusto Leone Piani as president.
Investments and Universalisation
The state government says Sabesp is expected to invest R$70 billion (US$13.7 billion) under the post-privatisation contract. The goal is to bring water and sewer service to everyone in all 375 municipalities served by the company by 2029.
Progress is already visible. The news outlet Broadcast reported on 14 July 2026 that Sabesp invested R$15.2 billion (US$3.0 billion) in infrastructure in 2025.
That’s a 120% jump from R$6.9 billion (US$1.4 billion) in 2024, the year before privatisation. The longer-term plan goes further.
Money Times reports that Sabesp foresees about R$200 billion (US$39.2 billion) in investments by 2060. This covers expanding water supply and sewage collection and treatment across the state.
What It Means for Residents and Investors
For households, the 15% lower tariff is a real benefit, even if it’s a comparison with a made-up scenario. For investors, the privatisation opened a new chapter: a private operator with clear expansion goals.
The company has also been returning cash to cities, having passed R$3.6 billion (US$705 million) to 220 municipalities since July 2024. But there are risks.
The merger with EMAE, a state power generator, has drawn lawsuits from minority shareholders who question the terms. The São Paulo public prosecutor is also probing both privatisations.
If you hold shares in Sabesp or trade on the Brazilian stock exchange, keep an eye on these disputes.
More: Brazil news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly did Tarcísio de Freitas say about tariffs?
He said that water and sewer tariffs are 15% lower than they would be without the privatisation of Sabesp, and that this is written into the law and the contract. He made the claim during a governor’s debate on 9 August 2026.
How much did the state earn from the Sabesp sale?
The state sold a 32% stake for R$14.8 billion, which is about US$2.9 billion at the current exchange rate. The transaction closed in July 2024.
What is Sabesp’s investment target?
Sabesp is committed to R$70 billion, roughly US$13.7 billion, in investments to universalise sanitation by 2029. A longer-term plan foresees about R$200 billion, or US$39.2 billion, by 2060.
Has the privatisation caused any controversies?
Yes. Minority shareholders have challenged the merger with EMAE, and the São Paulo public prosecutor has opened an inquiry into both privatisations. These disputes are ongoing as of August 2026.
Connected Coverage
Sources: São Paulo state government; Poder360; Sabesp; Valor Econômico
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