Transforming Oman’s water sector for a sustainable future

Oman’s water sector stands at a critical inflection point. As the country advances toward the ambitions of Vision 2040 —focused on economic diversification and environmental sustainability—the modernisation of its water and wastewater infrastructure has become a national priority. The sector faces urgent challenges, including high water losses, rising demand, and significant greenhouse gas emissions associated with supply and treatment operations.

In support of this national effort, Ricardo attended Oman Water Week 2025 to collaborate with key stakeholders and share sustainable solutions aimed at accelerating the sector’s transformation. The urgency of this work is underscored by recent data: in 2024 alone, Oman supplied 449 million cubic metres of water and produced 96 million cubic metres of treated effluent, while also recording losses of 177 million cubic metres and emissions totalling 291,000 tonnes of CO₂ from water and wastewater systems. These figures highlight both the scale of existing inefficiencies and the opportunity for meaningful, system-wide innovation.

Oman’s Strategic and Municipal Programs are at the forefront of addressing these challenges. The Strategic Program targets long-term improvements in water resource planning and infrastructure resilience. In parallel, the Municipal Program focuses on enhancing urban water distribution, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management—areas critical to serving a growing urban population. Both programs reflect a shift toward integrated water management and sustainable operations.

A growing reliance on desalination adds complexity. As a water-scarce nation, Oman is turning to desalination to meet both municipal and industrial needs. Yet desalination is energy-intensive and carries significant environmental impacts. Integrating renewable energy sources and advanced recycling technologies into desalination systems presents a viable path to mitigate these pressures.

Above: Ricardo meets with Senior Leaders from Nama Dhofar Services facilitated by strategic partner, Monenco at Oman Water Week 2025

One area gaining increasing attention is industrial water use. Oman’s Produced/Industrial Water Program seeks to drive efficiency and environmental stewardship in heavy industries, which consume substantial water resources and generate high volumes of wastewater. Integrated solutions that enhance resource recovery, reduce discharge, and improve water-energy nexus performance are key to decoupling industrial growth from water stress.

Ricardo, through its Clean Energy & Environmental Solutions Business, brings extensive experience in delivering such solutions across the Gulf region. With a presence in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, the company combines global expertise with local understanding to address Middle Eastern water challenges. Strategic collaborations with entities like Nama Water Services, Nama Dhofar Services, Veolia, and Monenco Consulting Engineers signal a growing commitment to accelerating progress in Oman.

Above: Yoones Vafaie representing Ricardo Clean Energy and Environmental Solutions at Oman Water Week 2025

As Oman charts its course toward 2040, partnerships between public utilities, industry stakeholders, and technology providers will be essential. The sector’s transformation will require not only infrastructure investment but also operational innovation, regulatory alignment, and sustained stakeholder engagement.

The path forward is clear: targeted, collaborative action can position Oman as a regional leader in sustainable water management—delivering resilience, efficiency, and long-term value for its people and industries.

Left to Right: Akin Adamson (Ricardo Middle East Director), Shahram Pooladvand (Monenco Dhofar Branch Manager), Saeed Tamadon (Monenco Managing Director), Yoones Vafaie (Ricardo Water Group Principal), and Leila Nazari (Monenco Planning Manager) meet and plan strategic partnership at Oman Water Week 2025