Atkins, Faithful+Gould chosen for major U.S. design-build contract

• New major wastewater treatment plant planned on USA-Mexico border.

LONDON, Sept. 5, 2006 -- The combined talents of Atkins and Faithful+Gould, in Phoenix, have won a $3.7 million contract to act as client representative for city of Nogales, AZ, during a $50 million upgrade to its wastewater treatment plant.

The city opted for a design-build delivery mechanism and recognized the need for a strong project management team to act as the owner's representative and oversee the work. Atkins' experience with design-build projects, and its strong record working with international financial institutions on water projects around the world, helped secure the company's appointment and builds on its success with city of Tulare, CA.

Nogales is located along Arizona's international border with the state of Sonora, Mexico, about an hour south of Tucson. Its Nogales International wastewater treatment plant currently serves a population of over 350,000 and needs to be upgraded to meet the regulatory standards.

Experts from Atkins and Faithful+Gould have already conducted a review to identify the risks and challenges that the Nogales will face with the contract. Their next role will be to provide technical assistance to the city in order to select the design-build team and negotiate contracts. Over the next three years the companies' input will include design review, on-site construction management services and facilitation of communication between stakeholders.

The preferred option for upgrade, that will replace existing wastewater treatment lagoons, is a process known as the Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) system. As part of the design review, the Atkins-Faithful+Gould team will take into account constructability issues and the risks identified during workshops.

Rupert Kruger, vice president of Atkins Water and Environment USA, says: "The international reputation of Atkins, combined with the local presence of Faithful+Gould, was recognized by City of Nogales and North American Development Bank. We will be working with many stakeholders, including the US International Boundary Water Commission (IBWC) and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to ensure a successful and timely delivery of the long-awaited wastewater treatment plant expansion."

When completed in October 2009, the treatment plant will provide treatment for 14 million gallons a day and meet nitrogen and total suspended solids limits.

Barbara Johnson, City of Nogales adds: "We are very pleased to secure the services of Atkins and Faithful+Gould to be our representatives and help manage the design-build project delivery. They will bring valuable technical and construction management support to ensure the successful and timely delivery of the long-awaited wastewater treatment plant expansion."

Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) plans, designs and enables the delivery of complex capital programmes for clients in the public and private sectors across the globe. Atkins is the largest multidisciplinary consultancy in Europe; the largest engineering consultancy in the UK; and the world's third largest design firm.

Atkins' current projects include:
-- Major infrastructure works, including the Olympic Park for London 2012;
-- In the defense sector, the MoD's Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) program -- overseeing the development of the next generation of medium weight armored vehicles for the military;
-- Significant road and rail contracts, including a GBP65 million, three-year resignalling contract in Basingstoke;
• High profile architectural designs, such as Durrat Al Bahrain, a spectacular 20 sq km seaside city resort on the south coast of Bahrain comprising 13 man-made islands.

Atkins was named among the '20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2006' by The Sunday Times; 'Construction Consultant of the Year 2005' by Building; and 'Consultant of the Year Major Firm 2005' by New Civil Engineer.

Faithful+Gould (www.fgould.com) is a member of the Atkins group of companies. It is one of the world's largest project and cost management consultancies, employing over 2,000 staff with an expanding office base worldwide.

Also see:
-- "NEW: Atkins 'Water & Environment Solutions' Magazine - Summer Issue"
-- "EPA fines Nogales, Ariz., for drinking water violations"
-- "Severn Trent wins arsenic removal contract in Nogales, Ariz."

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