Black & Veatch to Provide Consulting Services for Emergency Water Supply in Baghdad

London (February 13, 2006). Black & Veatch, a global engineering, construction and consulting company, announced that it has been selected to review the physical condition and hydraulic adequacy of the water supply system in Baghdad, Iraq. As part of its review, the company will recommend solutions to restore the water supply system to full working order with consequent improvements in health and living conditions in the Iraqi capital.

Black & Veatch was awarded the contract following international competitive bidding based upon both technical and financial proposals. The company's previous success in designing and supervising the construction of facilities in the country also was considered by the Mayoralty of Baghdad in awarding this contract.

Mike Johnson, Black & Veatch Project Manager, said, "By applying our global resources and drawing from our experience on projects in Iraq and many countries around the world, we can design and implement a solution to provide a safe, reliable and efficient water supply well into the future."

Black & Veatch will be working in close collaboration with the Technical Mayor of Baghdad together with his project management team to improve the quality of life in the area. The report is to be submitted within five months, enabling a start to be made on construction in the near future.

“We are very satisfied that we are able to work with a reputable international company that has the experience to help us carry out this important work," said the Technical Mayor of Baghdad.

The Mayoralty of Baghdad is aiming to rehabilitate, upgrade and extend plants at Al-Karkh, Al-Rasheed, Abu Nuwas and Sharq Dijla, as well as the cross-river link that delivers water to the Rassafa (East side) of the River Tigris.

The main Treatment Works at Al-Karkh is one of the largest water treatment works in the world with a capacity 360 million gallons per day (mgd), or 1,365 megaliters per day (ML/d). During the past 15 years, the treatment process has depended on locally obtained chemicals that have a very high percentage of impurities, resulting in damage to the infrastructure of the facility and many parts of the system have suffered badly from looting over the past 18 months.

The project is part of a $65M World Bank Trust Fund loan aimed at improving economic conditions and increasing the quantity, quality and availability of potable water in Baghdad.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch Corporation is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, information and government markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients’ needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions include conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, information technology, environmental, security design and consulting, and management consulting services.

B&V Water, Black & Veatch’s water business, provides innovative, technology-based solutions to utilities, governments and industries worldwide. Local project managers work with a global team of water and wastewater treatment process experts to address site-specific challenges through a broad range of consulting, study, planning, design, design-build and construction management services.

The employee-owned company has more than 90 offices worldwide. Black & Veatch is ranked on the Forbes “500 Largest Private Companies in the United States” listing. The company’s Web site address is www.bv.com.

Media Contact:
Carl Petz
Black & Veatch
913-458-4685
petzcf@bv.com

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