Oman’s state-owned utility Nama Water Services (NWS) is advancing a portfolio of strategic water and wastewater projects valued at over $1.4 billion (RO 550 million), alongside a nationwide plan to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) from nearly 40% to 10% by 2036.
The announcements were made during Oman Water Week 2025, where senior officials from Nama and regulatory authorities presented updates on infrastructure, technology investments, and sustainability strategies.
According to Qais bin Saud al Zakwani, CEO of Nama Water Services, current initiatives include the expansion of water transmission lines, increased storage capacity, and development of sanitation networks. A major focus of these projects is to boost local content, with 20% of the total investment allocated to Omani small and medium enterprises, promoting job creation and national economic growth.
As part of its sustainability push, Nama Water is also exploring alternative water sources, such as the upcoming Wadi Dayqah Dam Water Purification Plant in Quriyat, which will treat surface water using high international standards.
Zakwani highlighted the utility’s digital transformation, noting that 95% of customers now use digital water meters. These meters support accurate billing and help raise public awareness of water conservation through real-time consumption data. A round-the-clock monitoring center has also been established to analyse consumption patterns and promptly respond to issues.
In addition, reclaimed water—treated to international standards—is being promoted as a key tool to improve water efficiency and expand green spaces across Oman, supporting environmental balance.
New National Strategy Targets 10% Water Loss by 2036
In a separate announcement during an executive panel at the same event, Nama Water unveiled an ambitious plan to cut water losses (NRW) from 40% to 10% over the next decade. In 2022, Oman lost 180.7 million cubic meters of water to NRW—roughly 40.7% of its total production. The figure slightly improved in 2023, dropping to 39.6%.
To address the issue, Nama will implement a large-scale program that includes:
Replacing old, leak-prone pipelines
Expanding the use of smart metering and AMR (Automated Meter Reading)
Deploying advanced leak detection tools like satellite imaging and drones
According to Eng. Saud Al Shidhani, Director General at the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), this target is aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and is supported by the national implementation follow-up unit.
While acknowledging the challenge, Al Shidhani praised Nama’s progress and pointed to regulatory incentives and performance-based targets as key drivers of recent improvements.
Eng. Ibrahim al Harthi, Chief Planning and Asset Management Officer at Nama, reported an average 9% annual reduction in water losses over the past four years. He confirmed that funding has been secured for major infrastructure upgrades and emphasized the importance of efficiency due to the high cost of desalinated water.
“This isn’t a problem that can be solved in a single year,” Al Harthi said. “But with the right investments and regulatory support, we are on the right path.”
Source: Muscat Daily
