At a time when the need for efficient and sustainable management of water resources is on the table, what are the main challenges currently facing your sector?
We view this as an opportunity. Aquapor is a group dedicated to the urban water cycle, which means the ability to distribute and supply water to populations for human consumption, as well as wastewater treatment, under conditions that comply with European Union rules. In fact, this activity is currently facing increasingly complex challenges, which requires a great deal of know-how on the one hand and investment on the other. Aquapor has existed since 1987 and is currently the market leader in the private sector, supplying 10% of the Portuguese population in terms of public water supply and 20% in terms of wastewater treatment.
Nowadays, the indicator of the percentage of unbilled water is one that we need to pay more attention to and the private sector has managed to greatly reduce this waste. Today we have municipalities with more than 40% water losses and Aquapor achieves, in the worst-case scenario, 10% unbilled water.
This has to do with work that we have been doing systematically, which has allowed us to perfect a technique for managing resources very efficiently. We must first play our part as managing bodies and ensure that we manage water resources efficiently in order to reduce this waste before pointing the finger at consumers. Even so, it is clear that we must make consumers aware of the need to consume water in a regulated way, as it is a scarce resource.
What do you think Aquapor's contribution will be to the affirmation of the Lisbon region and the country, both in Portugal and abroad?
Aquapor has made a very positive contribution to both the district and the country. In the Lisbon district, Aquapor is present in Águas de Cascais, which handles the distribution of water to the municipality of Cascais, as well as the collection and treatment of wastewater.
We have been operating in this municipality for almost 20 years and we have contributed to job creation, to the delivery of water in compliance with all parameters and to the investment we have made in this municipality, which already exceeds 70 million euros.
We are also present in Luságua Lisboa, a company dedicated to the urban water cycle in the Port of Lisbon. Overall, we have created 1,300 jobs since Aquapor was founded in 1987, and we bring added value of around 100 million euros in turnover, having invested more than 300 million euros over this period.
What do you view as Altice's contribution as a technology partner to Aquapor's business?
Altice has been an important partner at various levels.
First and foremost, in support of our business processes, the provision of services to customer, in terms of collection management, call center support, fixed and mobile communications and the supply of equipment.
On the other hand, the support given to the operations of our teams on the ground has also been fundamental, allowing us to increase mobility and speed.