Black & Veatch to consult on international wetland park project

• Yunnan Province project to improve water quality and promote ecological diversity

KUNMING CITY, Yunnan Province, China, Nov. 19, 2007 -- Black & Veatch, a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company, announced today that it has been appointed as the consultant for the development of the Kunming Dianchi International Wetland Park Project. The proposed wetland will improve the quality of water in the lake, promote biological diversity and help create a suitable habitat for wildlife.

"Black & Veatch has direct experience from similar projects they have implemented in Hong Kong SAR and elsewhere," said Chen Jia, Director of the Kunming Xiliangtang Wetland Park Management Company Limited. "In addition, Black & Veatch has a strong reputation and brings global experience and resources to drainage system and wastewater treatment facility design."

Dianchi Lake is the largest drinking water source for Kunming City and its population of more than 3.6 million people. The Dianchi Lake basin provides 79.8 percent and 82.2 percent of the city's agricultural and industrial output respectively, but recent years have seen the water levels in the lake steadily shrink as pollution increases. Algae growth on the lake surface has become a regular feature during the summer and autumn months in recent years, which in turn has affected water supplies to the city.

The constructed wetland, which will be situated at the north-eastern shore of Dianchi Lake, will cover an area of 242 hectares and act as a buffer between the new commercial developments and the lake.

"The wetland will help to filter and treat wastewater flows into the lake, which will improve the water quality whilst encouraging wildlife with the introduction of wetland plants to the site," said Alan Man, Black & Veatch Regional Director for Client Services. "In addition, the project will create new community, educational and tourism facilities that are based around ecological themes. These new facilities will help highlight the need to preserve Kunming's natural habitat."

Black & Veatch will be responsible for providing technical advice for drainage and wastewater treatment to the project, including the review of project deliverables, attending expert panel meetings and providing project management advice to the client. The project, which includes planning, design and construction, will be completed in 2010.

Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Its global water business provides innovative, technology-based solutions to utilities, governments and industries worldwide.

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