Black & Veatch Assists with Project to Improve Vital Infrastructure and Help Reduce Flooding in Central Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam (February 20, 2006) – Black & Veatch announced today that it has begun work on a US$5 million contract with the Government of Vietnam to provide consulting services for The Central Region Urban Environmental Improvement Project, which will improve infrastructure and reduce flooding in the country’s growing central region. The project, financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), will benefit approximately 660,000 people living in six central provinces in Vietnam.

Rapid urbanization, coupled with a lack of investment in urban infrastructure, has increased flooding in the area. In addition, inadequate sewerage and sanitation infrastructure have increased residents’ exposure to environmental and health risks as flood waters become severely polluted with sewage. The lack of access to good urban services has resulted in constraining investment and growth in the towns, which has impacted the quality of life and accentuated poverty of the urban residents.

The project will upgrade and extend 374 km (232 miles) of drainage, 49 km (30 miles) of sewer network, add a combined wastewater treatment capacity of 18,250 m3/day (4.8 million gallons per day), and result in construction of seven pumping stations, five landfills and 37 km (23 miles) of access roads.

“These investments will promote balanced regional development, improve environmental and health conditions, provide sustainability and efficiency of urban services, and increase environmental and health awareness among urban residents,” said B&V Water President and CEO Dan McCarthy.

According to Black & Veatch Regional Director of Client Services Nick Townsend, the company has had a permanent presence in Vietnam for over 11 years and experience with similar projects in the region.

“We’re aware of the challenges associated with implementing such a large project within the country, and we’re pleased that the project has started so that we can begin to make an impact,” said Townsend.

Black & Veatch is fielding a multidisciplinary team of professionals to assist the Ministry of Construction with project implementation and provide technical and managerial support and training to participating agencies. The team will also prepare key urban management and tariff guidelines to improve urban services management. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

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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