Aguas de Antofagasta posts US$8mn H1 net profit

Northern Chile's Region II water utility Aguas de Antofagasta posted a 5.24bn-peso (US$8.19mn) net profit in the first half, Aguas said in a filing to the country's securities regulator (SVS). In November, the government awarded Inmobiliaria Punta de Rieles, connected to local group Luksic, a 30-year concession to operate regional utility Essan after it submitted a bid of some US$27mn. Aguas de Antofagasta is the special purpose company set up by Inmobiliaria to operate Essan. For the period, revenue was 13.54bn pesos and operating profit closed at 6.295bn pesos. In the first half of last year, then Essan posted a 6.25bn-peso net profit. Aguas serves some 454,000 residents, with 99.9% drinking water coverage and 98.8% sewerage coverage.