FONPLATA, SANESUL, and ITAIPU PARQUETEC are partnering to launch the first open, competitive innovation challenge in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, to promote technological solutions for groundwater treatment.

This initiative will create a bridge of open innovation that pairs multilateral financing and institutional technical capacity with the agility of the startup ecosystem, turning water-supply challenges into regionally validated, cutting-edge solutions.

The “Technological Innovation Project for the Removal of Fluoride, Salts, and Kaolin from Groundwater Systems” seeks to identify, develop, and validate technologies that improve water quality, strengthen water security, and build replicable capabilities for other SANESUL-operated systems. SANESUL is the Brazilian state-owned company responsible for drinking water and sanitation services in Mato Grosso do Sul.

The project will select startups with promising groundwater-treatment solutions and provide financial support, training, and technical guidance to develop minimum viable products, run proof-of-concept tests, and carry out pilot trials within SANESUL’s systems.

The first challenge will target the municipalities of Juti and Naviraí, where teams will test efficient and sustainable methods for removing fluoride, salts, and kaolin from deep-aquifer water supplies.

Itaipu Parquetec will manage and implement the non-reimbursable technical cooperation funds, while SANESUL will validate the technical solutions submitted. Together, the institutions combine financing, technical expertise, and open-innovation capacity to tackle specific sanitation challenges.

07/02/2026