Agbar to manage Barcelona water and sanitation

France-based utility company Suez Environnement has revealed its plans to handle the entire water cycle including water and sanitation management in the metropolitan area of Barcelona through its subsidiary Agbar.

The water and sanitation contract runs for 35 years, during which Agbar expects to generate revenues of €3.5bn. It already operates water distribution management services in the AMB.

Agbar and Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) will form a public-private partnership to supply water to three million inhabitants in 24 municipalities, including the Catalan capital and surrounding communities.

Agbar will own an 85% interest and AMB 15% in the partnership, which will operate under the name of Aguas de Barcelona.

In 2012, the company had revealed plans to tender projects in China, in Tianjin municipality and Qingdao in Shandong province, to strengthen its position as a major player in the country by producing drinkable water from seawater.