Sichuan Urban Environment Project

"Managing Resources for the Future"

How should China's highly populated Sichuan Province better protect its natural resources — as well as the world's tallest statue of Buddha?

MWH is helping with that challenge by working as a key team member of the Sichuan Urban Environment Project (SUEP). Funded by World Bank, the complex project consists of multiple wastewater, water supply and solid waste landfill facilities, as well as a cultural heritage component.

Environmental Priorities

Sichuan Province — famous for the giant panda and spicy cuisine — is the home of more than 80 million people. Unfortunately, the fast-growing area is also facing several severe environmental challenges.

The Min and Tuo Rivers, and their tributaries, have become polluted by industrial and agricultural wastes, as well as domestic wastewater.

To the northeast of the province capital Chengdu are the cities Deyang and Mianyang. These urban centers are home to several chemical and heavy industrial companies, which have contributed to the pollution problems.

To the southwest of Chengdu is Leshan, home of the world's tallest Buddha statue. Located where the Min and Dadu rivers meet, the 71-meter tall statue is carved into a giant cliff-face. The historic statue — which is an UNESCO World Heritage site — attracts visitors from around the world.

The Leshan Grand Buddha took 90 years to build during the Tang Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago. Recently, the statue has shown damage from wind, water and acid rain, as well as heavy tourism.

Full Spectrum of Services

To help tackle these problems, the Sichuan Urban Environment Project features the following components:

• Cultural heritage protection of Leshan Grand Buddha statue.
• Wastewater collection and treatment facilities for Chengdu, Deyang and Leshan.
• Municipal solid waste landfill, transfer station and vehicles in Leshan.
• Water supply facility in Luzhou Beijiao.

MWH is providing a full spectrum of technical assistance in four major areas:

• Pre-construction
• Construction management and quality assurance
• Project management
• Skill transfer and training

On the project, MWH has teamed up with several international subcontractors as well as a local subcontractor Xinda.

To ensure effective transfer of knowledge and skills to local client personnel, a comprehensive training program is underway in Sichuan.

Challenges & Recognition

The complex project has led to a number of challenges.

For example, divers working underwater built a large part of the platform extension at the foot of the giant Leshan Grand Buddha. Adding to the rough working conditions was a swift river current.

Nonetheless, the work was carried out seven days a week and completed in two months, well ahead of the target deadline.

Public interest has been very strong for the project. It has generated a great deal of media attention too. Approximately 12 Chinese TV crews have reported on the site, and the story has attracted media coverage in Singapore as well.