Around €350 million is to be invested over the next four years to modernise and improve the efficiency of the Veneto water network for the benefit of businesses and families, in keeping with the principles of sustainable water management (Goal 6 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda). This is the target of Viveracqua Hydrobond 2022, the long-term issuance of €148.5 million by six water companies joining together in Viveracqua, which has been subscribed by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, the European Investment Bank and Kommunalkredit AustriaAG.
The transaction takes the form of a private placement, providing innovative financing for the investment plans of the six companies. The consortium members – Acque del Chiampo, Acque Veronesi, Bim Gestione Servizi Pubblici, ETRA, Livenza Tagliamento Acque and Piave Servizi – serve over 290 municipalities and more than 2.3 million residents, with a pipe network of over 22,000 km. Sewerage systems and sewage treatment plants will be upgraded as part of the initiative.
Viveracqua Hydrobond 2022 is the fourth financing transaction, promoted by Viveracqua and coordinated by Banca Finint, supporting the investment plans of Integrated Urban Water Management consortia, which is being implemented directly through the capital markets.
This issuance follows the positive experiences already achieved in 2014 (€150 million unlocking more than €341 million worth of investments), in 2016 (€77 million, with investments worth over €197 million) and in 2020 with Viveracqua Hydrobond 2020 (€248 million, with planned investments totalling €700 million).