Status of Groundwater

Governance in Oman

Ahmed Said Al Barwani Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

Water Resources Expert and ONC IHP Coordinator

Oman National Committee for

International Hydrological Programmes (IHP)

Overview

• Oman is located within the

Arid and Semi arid region.

• Water Resources are scarce

• Rapid development of the

water resources during the

past forty years.

• The demand for water

especially for agriculture has

tripled creating imbalance

between water consumption

and availability.

Institutional Framework for the

Water Sector

Focus and Role Organization

Water Resources assessment,

development and Management

Ministry of Regional Municipalities

and Water Resources

Agricultural extension services Ministry of Agriculture and Fishers

Water service and water supply

provision

Public Authority of Electricity and

Water

Environmental impact assessment and

pollution

Ministry of Environment and Climate

Affairs

Follow-up water related health issues

and problems Ministry of Health

Oman Water Resources

• Limited rainfall less than 40 mm in desert and coastal areas in mountains 350 mm.

• Surface water represented by ghaily aflaj, springs and few permanent wadi flows and groundwater as daudi aflaj and wells representing over 70% of the total water usage.

• Severe groundwater shortages and saline intrusion due to over abstraction.

• Desalination of sea water an important contributor of water supply.

Groundwater Resources

Comprises of renewable and non

renewable resources.

• Renewable resources are

replenished by rainfall and is of

good quality in Northern Oman.

It becomes brackish and saline

towards the coast and the desert.

Total replenished is estimated to

be about 1300Mm3/yr. Recovery

level about 70%.

• Non-renewable resources

comprise the underground fossil

water located at carbonates

formations.

Priorities • According to the concept of "water is a national

wealth" and in line with the future vision of the Omani economy (Oman 2020). The main objectives of water resources sector include the following:

Secure potable water sources.

Management of agricultural water demand.

Development and conservation of water resources.

Increase in recovery and development of indigenous water resources.

Establish the principles of water conservation and increase awareness of the importance of rational use.

Main Challenges to Water Sector • Limited Water Resources

Total water consume reach 1430 Mm3 compared to total water available 1052 Mm3 with annual deficit reaching 378 Mm3

• Increase of Water Demand

Over the next 20 years, the water demand for domestic, industrial, commercial and municipal purposes is expected to increase by more than 50 %.

• Low Agriculture Returns to Water Use

The agriculture sector is the dominant water-using sector accounting for 93 % of total natural water resources while agriculture contribute only 3 % to the national economic.

• Groundwater Pollution

The increase in groundwater abstraction over the last twenty years, as a result of uncontrolled withdrawn led to groundwater quality deterioration at some areas, and to saline groundwater to flow inland at coastal areas.

Future Vision toward Water Resources Insure and discover new non traditional water

resources to meet the growing demands on water for drinking and domestic purpose .

Determine water quotas that meet the requirements of sustainable development and achieve the economic efficiency.

Reduce the difference between the supply and demand

on water.

Reuse of treated wastewater.

Protection of water resources from pollution and

excessive mining.

Comprehensive awareness to develop the national

consciousness of water importance.

Future Vision Continue………

Develop the capacities of the technical cadres

Encourage the private sector to work in water projects

such as desalination plants and wastewater treatment

plants.

Maintain and develop aflaj and water structures and

enhance their performance.

Establish water users associations.

Enhance the decentralization of work and enable

municipal authorities to play their role in the

developmental effort of water sector.

Adopt the approach of effective participation of all

members of the society and encourage the team work.

Strategy of Water Resources

Management and Water Policy • The Water Resources Protection Law was issued by Royal Decree No.

(82/88) to establish the concept of water protection as a firm approach in the national policy for water resources management within the fundamental objectives of sustainable development.

This legislative foundation for the water resources sector has been strengthened by several other laws, regulations and decisions, notably:

Royal Decree No. (29/2000) promulgating of Water Resources Protection Law.

Royal Decree No. (114/2001) promulgating Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Law, which regulates the disposal of solid waste, hazardous waste, environmental pollutants and untreated wastewater.

Wells and springs provisions regulating the use of wells and aflaj.

Provisions regulating use of desalination units on wells.

Ministerial decisions regarding protection zones of wells water supply fields in some regions of the Sultanate.

Recommendations

To meet the increase demand of water, the country’s water resources will have to be managed in an increasingly advanced technical manner to exploit their maximum development potential.

Ensure a sound balance between the use of indigenous water and imported “virtual water”, within the confines of the economy.

Introduction of appropriate demand management measures in areas irrigated from wells.

Public awareness information campaigns should be augmented as a preliminary action to active conservation control, of domestic, industrial and agricultural water use.

Wastewater from municipal areas should be incorporated within resource planning.

Thank You