The project includes the rehabilitation of the existing primary treatment facilities and a major expansion of the Bahía Blanca Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in the Cangrejales area near Ingeniero White, approximately 10 km from the city.

The works will modernize the existing primary treatment system as well as expand capacity by building an equalization lagoon, a biological reactor using aerobic, anaerobic and anoxic processes to treat wastewater, secondary clarifiers to separate solids, and facilities for sludge treatment and a contact chamber. In addition, the works involve building pumping stations, grease traps and pipelines, as well as service facilities, embankments and access walkways.

Once completed, the plant will be capable of treating an average wastewater flow of 65,592 m³ per day, with capacity to accommodate future growth of up to 81,192 m³ per day. The treated effluent will be safely discharged into the Bahía Blanca estuary. 

The project also creates opportunities for future water reuse. If complemented by a dedicated reuse facility, the treated water could help to meet part of the industrial demand of the Bahía Blanca Petrochemical Complex, thus freeing up freshwater resources for residential use.

Panedile has a longstanding presence in the city’s sanitation infrastructure. Between 2005 and 2007, the company built the Third Basin Wastewater Treatment Plant, which remains in operation today.

The scale of the project is reflected in the following numbers: 

• 16,250 m³ of reinforced concrete
• 2,400 m³ of plain concrete
• 2,100 tonnes of structural steel
• 128,000 m³ of excavation and fill works
• 60,000 m³ of site fill
• 13,000 m² of internal walkways
• 1,720 m² of buildings, including offices, laboratories, control rooms and warehouses