Sembcorp today broke new ground of its first wastewater treatment plant in southern China, in the Qinzhou Port Economic Development Zone (QEDZ) in Guangxi province.

Expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2011, the 15,000 cubic metres per day plant will serve industrial and municipal customers in the QEDZ, and is expected to be expanded in tandem with customer demand.

The total cost of the project is RMB 61.7 million ($10.6 million). This investment will be undertaken by an 80-20 joint venture between Sembcorp and the Guangxi Qinzhou Linhai Industrial Investment Co. (QLIC), which is wholly owned by the QEDZ Administrative Committee.

The joint venture will have 50 years’ concession rights to provide wastewater treatment and reclaimed water to industrial and municipal customers in the QEDZ, which currently houses 19 multinational companies and local enterprises, as well as more than 50,000 residents. The concession area covers an area of roughly 67 sqkm.