Nama Water Services is advancing a strategic aquifer storage initiative in Oman aimed at strengthening national water security and improving the resilience of supply systems in the face of rising demand and climate-related pressures.
The utility’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project uses managed aquifer recharge technology to store excess desalinated water underground during periods of lower consumption, allowing it to be recovered when demand rises or during supply emergencies. The initiative forms part of Nama Water Services’ broader sustainability strategy and aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
The project is expected to reduce pressure on desalination plants during peak demand by shifting to a strategic storage-based model
Oman’s water demand is expected to increase by nearly 3% annually, driven by population growth, urban expansion and economic development. In 2025, total water production reached approximately 445 million cubic metres, with desalination accounting for around 90% of supply and groundwater providing the remaining 10%.
A pilot phase is currently underway in the Sharqiyah Sands aquifer basin in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate to assess the effectiveness of the technology before broader deployment. Selected sites are estimated to offer storage capacity of between 18 million and 30 million cubic metres, with desalinated water injected at depths of 80 to 120 metres into protected aquifers. The Sharqiyah Sands site is expected to support North and South Al Sharqiyah as well as Al Dakhiliyah once transmission interconnection projects are completed.
Eng. Abdulhakim bin Amur Al Dhhli, Master Planning & Strategic Investments Manager, said the initiative is expected to improve operational flexibility while supporting future water interconnection infrastructure between governorates. The project is expected to reduce pressure on desalination plants during peak demand by shifting to a strategic storage-based model, lowering the water supply system’s energy consumption, reducing emissions and enhancing its long-term sustainability.
Nama said the project is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Sultan Qaboos University’s Water Research Center, the German University of Technology in Oman, and international institutions.
The company added that the initiative could provide a model for wider implementation across Oman as the country seeks to build a more adaptive and sustainable water management system.
