Firm Expands Dam, Reservoirs Practice
Black & Veatch of Kansas City, Mo., a global engineering, consulting and construction company, announced in January the expansion of its dams and reservoirs practice within its water business to support initiatives related to water scarcity and aging infrastructure.
"We foresee significant growth in this water sector," said Dan McCarthy, president and chief executive officer of the firm's global water business. "We are assembling a strong, respected team of professionals who understand our clients’ businesses and objectives in dam and reservoir projects."
To lead its expansion, the firm named Greg Zamensky and Del Shannon as regional practice leaders for dams and reservoirs in the United States. Faruk Oksuz will provide overall direction and act as the group's leader for business development.
The central factors contributing to increased market demand in the dam and water sector include:
• Persistent water scarcity conditions worldwide.
• Aging of global infrastructure.
• Heightened awareness of flood risk.
• Population growth.
Recent firm projects in the dams and reservoirs area include the East Side Reservoir near Los Angeles, Calif., the largest surface-water reservoir built in the United States in the last 50 years; Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir with a 22-mile water-retaining embankment near West Palm Beach, Fla.; supervisory engineering in China for Long Tan Dam, the world's largest roller-compacted concrete dam; and the award-winning Lake Lenexa dam and spillway in Kansas.