Fugro West Wins Contract to Develop Water-Banking Program

Fugro West in Ventura has been awarded a $2-million contract with the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland to continue developing a ground-water banking program.

The program is intended to increase dry-year water supplies and local storage of water, supplement emergency water supplies and increase the operational flexibility of the district's water system.

During years when a surplus exists, the water will be injected into an underground aquifer, company officials said. The water would remain in the aquifer until it is needed during an extended drought or if an earthquake or other emergency interrupts the water supply.

Fugro, which provides water and geo-technical engineering consulting, employs 55 people.