Odebrecht wins InovaInfra 2026 award for application of Artificial Intelligence in a sanitation project

The study, completed in December 2025, presents an alternative to mitigate the risk of supply shortages, estimated at up to 4 m³/s during dry periods through 2040, according to technical projections analyzed in the work.

The proposal of the use of treated effluents from the Barueri Wastewater Treatment Plant (ETE Barueri) to recharge the Billings System, one of the main water sources of the São Paulo macrometropolitan area. The solution is based on three pillars: the construction of a dedicated pipeline of approximately 12 kilometers, the use of the existing pumping system on the Pinheiros River, and the implementation of a Reuse Water Production Plant (EPAR-I) with advanced treatment technology.

According to the article, written jointly by Josnei Cireli, Derveson Oliveira, Rafael Lavigne, and Daniel Lepikson, the EPAR-I would have the capacity to treat up to 15 m³/s, using processes such as aerobic granular sludge (Nereda) and ultraviolet radiation disinfection, ensuring strict water quality standards before discharge into the Billings Reservoir. Subsequently, this water would be captured again and treated by Sabesp’s plants for use in public water supply.

The main differentiator of the study was the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools throughout the conceptual design phase. According to Odebrecht, the application of this technology reduced the concept development time from more than 60 days to just 14 days, representing a reduction of over 75% compared to the traditional timeline for this phase, in addition to enabling the evaluation of multiple technical scenarios within a short period.

Simulations indicate that, with a maximum transfer of 15 m³/s, the system would be able to meet 100% of current water demand and 99.73% of projected future demand, virtually eliminating supply deficits. The investment required for this scenario was estimated at BRL 5.97 billion, a figure considered compatible with the complexity and scope of the proposed solution.

Beyond reinforcing water supply, the project also highlights additional benefits, such as integration with programs to clean up the Pinheiros River and the potential increase in energy generation at the Henry Borden Power Plant. According to the authors, the initiative demonstrates that combining specialized engineering with Artificial Intelligence can accelerate strategic decision-making and contribute to more resilient water infrastructure solutions in the State of São Paulo.

The Event

The 7th edition of InovaInfra was held on April 8 at the Brazilian British Centre, in São Paulo, bringing together professionals, companies, and experts from the sector to discuss innovative infrastructure solutions. The meeting is promoted annually by O Empreiteiro magazine.

The program featured a series of technical panels organized around strategic themes. The event, which opened with a presentation by Odebrecht, also included projects focused on flood control, water supply security, and the use of new technologies in water and wastewater system management. Presented initiatives included the Imbiribeira Project in Recife, which uses underground reservoirs for flood control, as well as drought mitigation initiatives in Ceará and socio-environmental sanitation projects in the Amazon region.

Throughout the afternoon, the focus expanded to topics such as energy and road infrastructure. The agenda included discussions on efficiency in the implementation of photovoltaic parks, as well as presentations of new technologies applied to highways, such as asphalt mixes more resistant to heat, urban use of warm-mix asphalt, and geotechnical solutions for large-scale works.

The rail sector was also represented, with emphasis on digital transformation in the São Paulo–Campinas Intercity Train project. This was followed by discussions on construction site safety, featuring programs aimed at reducing accidents, mechanizing critical processes, and applying Artificial Intelligence for risk prevention.

The program concluded with the InovaInfra award ceremony, followed by a cocktail reception. According to Joseph Young, director of O Empreiteiro magazine, InovaInfra 2026 seeks to consolidate itself as a space for exchanging experiences and disseminating practical solutions focused on innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in major infrastructure projects across the country.

For Josnei Cireli, Contract Director at Odebrecht and one of the authors of the award-winning article, the event was an opportunity for the company to share knowledge with other players in the infrastructure market. “This exchange of experiences between teams and companies reinforces the collaborative spirit we need to cultivate in order to increasingly deliver better solutions to society’s challenges,” he stated.