Oman plans water projects to meet demand

Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) is planning to develop a string of new independent water projects (IWP) across several locations in the country.

The company is planning to set up water desalination schemes at Khasab in Musandam Governorates and Duqm in Wusta Governorates.

Several modest size water projects are also being planned in the Sharqiyah and Dhofar Governorates, according to Oman Observer.

OPWP is also planning to build Musandam IWP at Khasab, which can process approximately 13,000m³ of water per day.

The project in Duqm is expected to meet the demand of the new township being developed, which is likely to accommodate around 100,000 people over the next 15 years.

The company is reportedly planning to introduce an IWP in Sharqiyah, which is expected to have total capacity of 55,000 m³/d, and the services on the plant are likely to begin in 2019.

OPWP is planning to introduce IWP with capacity ranging from 80,000 m³/day – 100,000 m³/day in Dhofar to meet the increasing demand of the governorate, which is estimated to surge 8% per year.

According to reports, water demand in the northern part of the country is predicted to increase by 6% per year.

The publication cited a report titled ‘OPWP 7-Year Statement’ as saying: "OPWP is in consultation with the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) to finalise plans for procurement of desalination capacity to serve Duqm and Musandam".