From 2002 to 2004, CDM served as a technical resource for water, sanitation and irrigation, and other sectors in Afghanistan. Specific projects included water system extensions in the cities of Kandahar, Ghazni, and Jalalabad (work in Jalalabad was transferred to Gardez), as well as assessment and design tasks. These efforts ensured that the construction of water facilities could be tendered and facilitated water availability at Chele Dakthara and Dih Sabs.
This work was carried out under the Louis Berger-led Rehabilitation of Economic Facilities and Services (REFS) Program (2002-2006), which promotes Afghan economic recovery and political stability through the repair and development of important physical and social infrastructure throughout the country.
As a result of CDM's strong performance on the REFS project, CDM was awarded a US$41.3 million task order to perform urban water and sanitation engineering in Afghanistan. The 18-month project (2004-2006) includes water and sanitation design-build, feasibility study, and capacity building tasks. The project addresses Afghanistan's significant water infrastructure and supply needs, and will provide water to at least 400,000 people in Kabul, Kandahar, Ghazni, and Gardez.