10 Years of Nereda & BRK: a wastewater revolution in Brazil
A shared vision for sustainable sanitation
The collaboration began with a shared commitment: to bring cutting-edge, sustainable wastewater treatment solutions to Brazil’s rapidly urbanizing regions. Nereda, developed in the Netherlands, offered a unique biological treatment process using aerobic granular sludge technology. Its compact footprint, low operational costs, and high energy efficiency made it an ideal fit for Brazil’s growing cities and evolving environmental regulations.
Milestones of progress
Since the first installation, BRK Ambiental has implemented five Nereda plants across Brazil, with the most recent being the Lontra Wastewater Treatment Plant in Araguaína, Tocantins. Launched in October 2023, Lontra was designed to serve a population equivalent of 228,000 and meets stringent nutrient removal standards. The plant replaced an outdated system and now plays a crucial role in improving sanitation and public health for nearly 200,000 residents.
The Lontra project also exemplifies the broader impact of this partnership: over 1,100 jobs were created during construction, and the plant’s modular design ensures scalability for future growth. BRK Ambiental operates the facility with support from Haskoning, including training and automation via the Aquasuite Nereda Controller.
Over the last decade, Haskoning and BRK have built a relationship of mutual trust and respect, focused on optimizing the efficiency of investments, operations, and quality. The robust partnership with Haskoning effectively contributes to BRK's objective of being recognized as the most efficient sanitation company in Brazil.
Scaling up for the future
The success of Nereda in Brazil has led to its adoption in major infrastructure projects, including the Parque Novo Mundo WWTP in São Paulo. This plant, part of the ambitious Integra Tietê program, will triple its treatment capacity using Nereda technology, helping to clean up the Tietê River and improve water quality for over 22 million people. With 14 Nereda plants now operational or under development in Brazil, the technology has proven its adaptability and effectiveness in both urban and regional contexts.
A model for global collaboration
The 10-year partnership between BRK Ambiental and Haskoning is more than a technical success — it’s a model for international collaboration in environmental innovation. By combining Dutch engineering expertise with Brazilian operational excellence, the two organizations have delivered tangible benefits to communities, ecosystems and economies.
As they look to the future, both partners remain committed to expanding access to clean water and sustainable sanitation, supporting Brazil’s national goals for universal water services by 2033.
I am very proud of the track record of successful Nereda projects in Brazil
The partnership between BRK Ambiental and Haskoning was the result of a strategic and pioneering decision by BRK to import the technology and become a Nereda licensee in Brazil. Considering our current position and anticipating future prospects, I firmly believe that the subsequent phases of this initiative will yield significant value for all stakeholders and society at large.
I am very proud of the track record of successful Nereda projects in Brazil, which are the result of partnerships between leading companies in their respective fields. I am also honored to be part of the development and improvement of sewage treatment service indices in Brazil using this innovative and sustainable technology.