Wastewater Procurement

El Marco award names the consortium while formalisation remains unpublished

Published 11 August 2026 Updated 15 August 2026 Publisher IMWO Region Europe Confidence Confirmed
Official site plan for the El Marco wastewater treatment plant, showing the new treatment plant beside the existing treatment works

Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge; official El Marco site and situation plan

ACUAES's 4 August award notice identifies a 50%-30%-20% Aquambiente-COPASA-PESA consortium for the new El Marco wastewater treatment plant at EUR 61,784,295.49 excluding VAT. The 43-month procurement programme splits one month of integrated management planning, 30 months of works and 12 months of start-up, but the notice still describes future contract formalisation. MITECO's current design fixes the engineering opportunity at 181,500 population equivalent and 33,000 m3/day average flow, with five-stage Bardenpho treatment, tertiary microfiltration and disinfection, reclaimed-water storage and 1.997 MW of photovoltaic generation.

Award decision names the consortium and price

The award notice records the 30 July decision, 4 August publication, consortium shares, selected offer, tax treatment, duration, warranty and formalisation boundary. MITECO describes the current plant design and process scope. The broader ACUAES programme page provides historical context, but its older capacity and programme-level execution label does not establish signature or field delivery under ACE/527.01/25/OBRA/01.

One prime contract spans civil, process and energy systems

The award establishes a commercial baseline and a 50%-30%-20% joint-venture split for a package that includes civil tanks, Bardenpho aeration and mixing, clarification, microfiltration, disinfection, reclaimed-water storage, sludge and gas lines, power, controls, photovoltaic works and commissioning. No lower-tier allocation has been published, and the award does not establish purchase orders, site possession or mobilisation.

Evidence conclusion

Formalisation and commencement remain unpublished

EUR 61.784 million excluding VAT is the selected offer, not the tender estimate, tax-inclusive base budget, paid value or final account. The current construction-project design basis is 181,500 population equivalent; ACUAES's broader actuation page retains an older 220,800 figure and does not supersede the specific 2026 design. The 43-month programme has no evidenced start date until a formal contract or owner commencement record establishes one.

Outstanding evidence

  • Contract formalisation and legal effective date
  • Notice to proceed, site possession and management-plan approval
  • Civil, treatment-process and electromechanical package awards
  • Tertiary microfiltration, disinfection and reclaimed-water suppliers
  • Sludge, biogas, photovoltaic, power, control and automation suppliers
  • Live-plant continuity and storm-overflow management
  • Twelve-month start-up, performance testing and acceptance
  • Variations, expenditure, warranty obligations and final account

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