This study aimed at analyzes innovation management in Brazilian sanitation companies and identify open innovation practices in its Research & Development processes. This study is of a descriptive and exploratory nature and data was collected through interviews with R&D managers. The use of a semi-structured script and the contents analysis procedure of the data gathered led to the study’s main results. Results showed that companies in the sanitation sector intentionally uses external knowledge flows to leverage their innovation processes, mainly through university partnerships and supplier cooperation. It was also identified that those companies have high levels of absorptive capacity.