Brazil's second largest water utility, Minas Gerais' Copasa, has postponed the bid submission date for its R$501 million (US$216 million) tender for a public-private partnership contract to expand Manso river water supply system near state capital Belo Horizonte.

The deadline for submissions has been delayed until September 27, from an original date of September 2, according to Copasa. The utility launched the tender process in July.

Brazilian and foreign firms, including consortia with up to three companies, are eligible to bid.

The Manso river system supplies water to the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. The concession involves the installation, operation and maintenance of approximately 15km of pipeline and the expansion of the capacity of water pumping stations and reservoirs during 15 years.

Belo Horizonte is the capital and largest city in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of the country.

The Brazilian firm,  Estruturadora Brasileira de Projetos S.A. (EBP), was responsible for the execution of the feasibility studies and is entitled to recover from the winning bidder R$2,700,000.00.

Source: Copasa