Oman’s Nama Water Services Launches Major Drive to Cut Water Losses

Oman’s Nama Water Services Launches Major Drive to Cut Water Losses

MUSCAT: Oman’s main water utility, Nama Water Services (NWS), is stepping up its efforts to reduce the country’s significant potable water losses, which currently amount to around 40% of total water production.

Oman

Speaking at an Executive Panel Discussion held on April 7, 2025, during Oman Water Week at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat, company officials shared a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at tackling this long-standing issue.

Among the key strategies being rolled out are the replacement of old, leak-prone pipelines, the use of cutting-edge technologies to detect hidden leaks, and the installation of smart water meters for more accurate tracking of consumer usage.

A Costly Problem

Water that is produced but never billed—known as Non-Revenue Water (NRW)—is a major challenge for utilities worldwide. In Oman, these losses translate into tens of millions of Omani rials in lost revenue each year. Causes range from underground leaks, aging infrastructure, and faulty meters to administrative and billing errors.

In 2022, Oman produced about 444.44 million cubic meters of potable water. Out of this, 180.7 million cubic meters—or roughly 40.7%—was lost. In 2023, efforts to reduce waste showed modest success, bringing the loss down slightly to 39.6%, or 177.79 million cubic meters, according to Nama Water data.

A National Target

Eng. Saud Al Shidhani, Director General of Water and Wastewater Regulation at the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), emphasized that reducing water losses is a top national priority. The goal, he said, is to bring NRW down to just 10% by 2036.

“This is a huge task, but we are working hand-in-hand with all stakeholders, supported by the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit,” said Al Shidhani.

He also praised the progress made by Nama Water Services and its sister entity Nama Dhofar Services, which operates in the Dhofar Governorate. Much of the success, he noted, comes from clear targets and incentive programs enforced by the regulator.

A Tech-Driven Approach

Nama Water Services is already seeing positive momentum. According to Eng. Ibrahim Al Harthi, Chief Planning and Asset Management Officer at NWS, the utility has managed to reduce water losses by an average of 9% per year over the past four years.

“We are constantly monitored by our regulator and submit regular reports on our progress,” Al Harthi said. “We’ve secured funding for a large-scale infrastructure upgrade specifically focused on cutting down NRW.”

Technology is playing a big part in this mission. The utility is using satellite imaging, drones, and AI-driven software to find hidden leaks across the network. On the consumer end, the rollout of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems has begun, starting with commercial properties.

Desalinated Water Is Too Valuable to Waste

One of the driving forces behind these efforts is the high cost of desalinated water, which makes up a large portion of Oman’s water supply. Al Harthi stressed that the value of this water justifies the large investments being made.

“Solving this issue won’t happen overnight,” he noted, “but with long-term planning, investment, and technology, we’re committed to bringing those numbers down.”

Building a Sustainable Future

The campaign to reduce water losses is a key part of Nama Water Services’ broader strategy to modernize Oman’s water infrastructure. Through initiatives like pipeline rehabilitation, smart metering, and advanced leak detection, the utility hopes to create a more efficient, sustainable water system for the future.

Oman Water Week 2025, where these updates were announced, is organized by Raya Services under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The event serves as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration across the water sector.

As water becomes an increasingly precious resource, Oman’s efforts to preserve and manage it efficiently are more critical than ever—and Nama Water Services is leading the charge.