Oman Water Infrastructure Guide

Water security is one of the most critical challenges facing Oman, an arid nation with limited freshwater resources and growing demand. The government has invested billions of rials in desalination plants, recharge dams, and wastewater recycling to ensure reliable water supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural needs. Vision 2040 prioritises sustainable water management as foundational infrastructure.

Key Facts

Desalination

Desalination provides the majority of Oman’s potable water supply. The Barka and Ghubrah plants serve the Muscat region, while the Salalah desalination plant serves Dhofar. The Sharqiyah Desalination Plant supplies eastern Oman. Reverse osmosis technology has reduced energy consumption per cubic metre while new plants integrate solar power to lower carbon emissions.

Recharge Dams

Over 50 recharge dams capture seasonal rainfall in wadi systems, allowing water to percolate into underground aquifers for later extraction. The Wadi Dayqah Dam in Quriyat is the largest, with a storage capacity of 100 million cubic metres providing flood protection and groundwater recharge.

Wastewater Recycling

The Haya Water Company operates wastewater treatment and reuse facilities, producing treated effluent for landscape irrigation, industrial cooling, and groundwater recharge. The Al Ansab treatment plant near Muscat treats over 80,000 cubic metres per day to tertiary standards.

Distribution Network

Diam (formerly the Oman Water and Wastewater Services Company) manages the potable water distribution network serving over 500,000 connections across the country. Smart metering and leak detection programmes are reducing distribution losses.

Water Conservation

The National Water Strategy promotes conservation through public awareness campaigns, tiered pricing, efficient irrigation mandates for agriculture, and building code requirements for water-saving fixtures. Industrial water recycling is encouraged through regulatory incentives.