Sacyr Water has secured a major $292 million public-private partnership (P3) contract for a water reuse project in Antofagasta, Chile, marking one of the most significant sustainability initiatives in Latin America. Tendered by Chile’s state-run Sanitary Services Company, Econssa, the project will enhance wastewater treatment and distribution for both the city and its critical mining sector.
The contract spans 35 years and aims to improve living conditions for residents while supplying recycled water to industrial clients. It’s Sacyr’s second major P3 win in 2025, following its recent success with the Rutas del Este expansion in Paraguay.
The project already holds an Environmental Qualification Resolution (approved in December 2020) and is centered on transferring pre-treated water from the existing Antofagasta plant to a new facility in the Salar del Carmen area. The new plant will have a treatment capacity of 900 liters per second, further reinforcing regional water sustainability.
In total, the infrastructure will include a 16-kilometer water transfer system, featuring a 5.4 km micro-tunneled section in urban areas, plus 48 kilometers of pipelines connecting to La Negra and Mantos Blancos. Construction and operations are expected to generate over 500 local jobs, with full commissioning scheduled for 2028.
“This is the most significant water reuse project in Latin America,” said Lucas de Marcos, General Manager of Sacyr Water in Chile. “It sets a benchmark in sustainable infrastructure and efficient resource management.”
Sacyr continues to expand its footprint in Chile across 14 of the country’s 16 regions, operating through its Water, Concessions, and Infrastructure divisions.