Veolia's subsidiary, Aigües de Barcelona, has achieved the highest technical and economic score in the tender for the water service of eight municipalities in the metropolitan area. The contract, which exceeds €1 billion, still needs to be ratified by the Consell Metropolità.
The Societat General d'Aigües de Barcelona, part of the French group Veolia, has won the major tender to manage the water supply in eight municipalities of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB). The tender, valued at €1.078 billion (excluding VAT), is one of the largest public tenders in Catalonia.
According to industry sources, Veolia had already achieved the best rating in the technical criteria on July 21, and this Thursday it also obtained the highest score in the economic criteria. However, the final award is not firm until the Consell Metropolità, the highest governing body of the AMB, gives its approval, expected in September.
The contract covers water management for 25 years, with the possibility of an extension of up to three years and nine months for an additional amount of €140.6 million. Planned investments amount to €175.6 million, which will be reflected in users' bills.
The municipalities included in the lot are Cervelló, Corbera de Llobregat, la Palma de Cervelló, Molins de Rei, Ripollet, Sant Andreu de la Barca, Sant Cugat del Vallès, and Tiana. Until now, each municipality managed its own contract, many of them extended after the transfer of powers to the AMB.
The process still needs to pass the period for objections and technical reviews before final ratification. Five other companies have submitted bids, some through temporary unions.
For residents of these municipalities, the award means that investments in network improvements will result in an increase in the water bill. The company will have to carry out works worth €78.7 million in Sant Cugat, €26.4 million in Corbera, €16.9 million in Molins de Rei, €15 million in Ripollet, €12.6 million in Cervelló, €11.3 million in Sant Andreu de la Barca, €4.5 million in Tiana, and €3.2 million in la Palma de Cervelló.
The decision of the Consell Metropolità is expected in September, at which point it will be known whether Veolia becomes the sole operator of these eight municipalities for the coming decades.
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