Consulting on environmental services in Vietnam

The Central Region Urban Environmental Improvement Project in Vietnam will improve infrastructure and reduce flooding in the growing central region: Black and Veatch will provide consulting services

The project, financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), will benefit approximately 660,000 people living in six central provinces in Vietnam.

Rapid urbanisation, 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 constrained 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 and 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 and V Water President and CEO Dan McCarthy.

According to Black and 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 and Veatch is fielding a multi-disciplinary 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.

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