Wednesday 13 / May / 2026
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is advancing innovative and forward-looking solutions to strengthen water security and ensure the long-term sustainability of supplies amid intensifying global water challenges.
In this context, Nama Water Services is implementing a comprehensive water sustainability strategy, with the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project using water injection technology emerging as one of the company’s most strategic initiatives aimed at building a more resilient and adaptive water system.
The project reflects a transformational shift in proactive water management and crisis preparedness, through the establishment of strategic underground water reserves that can be recovered during emergencies and peak demand periods.
The water injection process is based on a sustainable aquifer recharge technology, whereby excess desalinated water produced during periods outside peak demand is injected directly into underground aquifers for storage and later recovery when needed for potable, industrial and agricultural uses, contributing to the efficient management of water resources.
Eng. Ibrahim Mohamed Al Harthy, Chief Planning and Asset Management Officer, said the Aquifer Storage and Recovery project using water injection technology is among Nama Water Services’ strategic projects aimed at strengthening Oman’s water security and supporting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
He noted that the project responds to the increasing demand for water, which is expected to grow by nearly 3 percent annually as a result of population growth, urban expansion and economic development across Oman.
Al Harthy added that Oman’s total water production during 2025 reached approximately 445 million cubic metres, with around 90 percent supplied through desalination plants and the remaining 10 percent sourced from groundwater resources.
He explained that the project reflects Nama Water Services’ commitment to innovation, scientific research and academic partnerships, aiming to establish a strategic water reserve by utilising underground aquifers through the injection of desalinated water during low-demand periods — typically in winter — and recovering it when required, particularly during emergencies or periods of peak consumption.
“This project represents a strategic step towards enhancing the resilience, reliability and sustainability of Oman’s water supply system,” he said.
Al Harthy underscored that the importance of the project is expected to grow further in light of increasing water demand, climate change challenges and the need for proactive crisis management to ensure sustainable water security.
He explained that water injection technology is considered one of the advanced operational solutions that enhance efficiency by enabling water to be stored and recovered without requiring major re-treatment processes, while maintaining water quality through controlled storage conditions, based on scientific studies and field trials conducted as part of the project.
A field pilot is currently being implemented in the Sharqiyah Sands aquifer basin in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate to evaluate the efficiency of the technology before expanding its application on a wider scale.
The selected sites are estimated to have a storage capacity ranging between 18 million and 30 million cubic metres. Water is injected at depths ranging from 80 to 120 metres to reach protected underground aquifers and safeguard them against surface contamination.
The site selection process was based on detailed hydrogeological studies, including soil analysis, experimental drilling and scientific modelling to ensure the safety and sustainability of storage and recovery operations without affecting the environment or existing water resources. Additional criteria included proximity to water transmission networks and surrounding agricultural and commercial activities.
For his part, Eng. Abdulhakim Amer Al Duhli, Master Planning & Strategic Investments Manager, said the project is expected to significantly enhance water security by reducing reliance on desalination plants during peak demand periods and improving the efficiency of water resource management.
He added that the project will also support interconnection plans between governorates, with the Sharqiyah Sands field expected to serve North and South Al Sharqiyah as well as Al Dakhiliyah Governorates following the completion of water transmission interconnection projects.
The project is also expected to reduce operational pressure on desalination plants during peak periods while improving energy efficiency through the transition from immediate production to a strategic storage-based operational model. This is anticipated to lower energy consumption within the water production and transmission system associated with the project, contributing to reduced emissions, lower operational loads and enhanced long-term sustainability.
Al Duhli noted that the project is being implemented in cooperation with several strategic partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the Water Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University and German University of Technology in Oman, in addition to international institutions to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative and support a transformative shift towards a more resilient and future-ready water management system.
He added that the project paves the way for applying this technology in other locations across Oman, further strengthening the development of a sustainable and adaptive national water system capable of responding to future challenges while supporting the sustainability and water security goals of Oman Vision 2040.
Nama Water Services continues to implement an integrated water sustainability strategy focused on reducing non-revenue water through AI-enabled network modernisation and strengthening water resources through international best practices in demand management.
The strategy also includes investing in wastewater treatment and water reuse for industrial and agricultural applications, expanding strategic water infrastructure across the governorates it serves and accelerating digital transformation through advanced geographic information systems to improve operational efficiency.
