MUSCAT: A major water transmission project that will supply desalinated water from Suhar to towns in Al Dhahirah Governorate will be operational before the end of this year, according to an official of Oman Water and Wastewater Services (OWWC).
Eng Ibrahim bin Hamad al Hasani, Project Manager, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the transmission project, currently 81 per cent complete, will ease the Al Dhahirah’s dependence on groundwater for its requirements of potable water. Groundwater supplies are currently sourced from the Al Massarat Basin.
Traversing rugged terrain, characterized by mountains on the one hand, and wadis on the other, the 230-km long pipeline project presented huge challenges during the construction phase, Al Hasani said.
Additionally, intersecting oil and gas pipelines along the route of the transmission project complicated construction work. Further difficulties were encountered during the coronavirus pandemic with lockdowns impeding the delivery of construction equipment and materials to the project site, he stated.
Once operational, the Suhar water transmission project will ensure reliable supplies of desalinated water to consumers in Dahira Governorate, thereby helping conserve groundwater supplies which will be tapped only during contingencies.
In addition to the main transmission line, OWWC is also constructing as many as 15 reservoirs of a combined capacity of 451,000 cubic metres in Suhar, Ibri and Dhank.
Four pumping stations with a capacity of 144,000 cubic metres per day will be installed as well along the route of the transmission system.
Also as part of the project, a water pipeline is being laid parallel to the existing transmission line running from Suhar to Al Buraimi Governorate. This new line will meet the future water needs of the governorate and is part of a system of pipelines that will supply desalination water to the northern regions of Oman. - ONA
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