In July 2025, the Peruvian government officially launched the Cajamarca Wastewater Treatment Plant project under a public–private partnership (PPP) model. With an estimated investment of approximately 283 million U.S. dollars, the initiative is designed to improve sanitation infrastructure in Cajamarca and nearby districts. The proposal was initially submitted by the Spanish firm FCC Aqualia as an unsolicited initiative. Following legal procedures, other private firms now have a 90-day window to submit competing offers. If no competing bids are received, the original proponent may be awarded the concession directly, as permitted under Peru’s PPP framework.
The project involves the design, financing, construction, and long-term operation and maintenance of a comprehensive wastewater system. This includes the construction of new collectors—Mashcón and La Victoria—and a modern treatment plant that will serve more than 365,000 residents in Cajamarca and the neighboring Baños del Inca district. The infrastructure is expected to significantly reduce pollution in local water bodies, improve public health, and enable future reuse of treated water and organic by-products. It marks one of the most ambitious sanitation investments in the region and reflects Peru’s broader efforts to close infrastructure gaps in secondary cities.
Beyond its technical and financial dimensions, the project has major implications for social license to operate. Wastewater treatment is a highly visible and locally impactful service; when implemented transparently and with clear benefits for communities, it can strengthen public trust in both the private operator and the broader PPP model. Local employment, environmental safeguards, and ongoing community engagement will be essential to ensure that the project delivers on its promises. If managed well, the Cajamarca initiative could serve as a model for socially inclusive infrastructure development in other parts of the country.