Latest news with #NamaWaterServices
Observer
27-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman ramps up investment in smart utility systems
MUSCAT: Oman's transition towards smart energy and water infrastructure is gathering pace, with leading public and private sector voices calling for stronger investments in digitalisation, AI and data-driven decision-making. These technologies, experts agree, are no longer optional — they are essential to meet the country's growing demand and sustainability goals. These insights were shared during Session 2: 'How to Fund the Next-Generation Smart Energy & Water Systems?' at the EU-Oman Energy & Water Collaboration Forum, held at Crowne Plaza OCEC on May 20–21, 2025. The forum, sponsored by Nama Group and the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project, was moderated by Said al Kamyani, Sustainability Specialist. Speaking at the session, Jamie Hoyzer, CEO of Siemens Oman, stressed that digital transformation is key to enabling Oman's energy transition. 'Oman's energy demand is expected to triple by 2050. Smart grids, AI and predictive systems aren't luxuries — they're critical infrastructure,' he said. He highlighted a successful local project in which Siemens used AI to optimise a chilled water plant's operations, achieving a guaranteed 36% reduction in energy use — validated through performance guarantees from a local bank. Bringing in a European perspective, Moisés Blanco Maceiras, Adviser to the Secretary-General for EU Funds at Spain's Ministry of Finance, explained how Spain has effectively deployed smart infrastructure at scale. 'We've rolled out more than 27 million smart electric metres and supported AI-enabled irrigation and citizen-centric utility platforms through layered financing — EU grants, public-private partnerships and national co-funding,' he noted. Blanco encouraged Oman to consider similar multi-source funding models to accelerate its smart infrastructure deployment. From the utility side, Issam al Ismaili, Chief Commercial Officer of Nama Water Services, shared how digital tools are already making an impact in Oman. 'We've deployed over 700,000 smart metres and reduced non-revenue water from over 40% to 37.1%, with a target of 33% by the end of this year,' he said. Smart metres are not only cutting losses, but also giving customers access to real-time consumption data, helping to promote conservation and engagement. Complementing this, Fahad al Harrasi, General Manager of ICT at Nama Water Services, emphasised the importance of enabling technologies and local talent. 'Smart infrastructure is more than hardware — it's a data ecosystem that supports long-term sustainability and creates jobs for Omanis,' he stated. He also noted Nama's successful public-private partnerships under a build-operate-transfer model, which are driving digital transformation in the sector. Speakers agreed that to sustain momentum, Oman must continue aligning its policies, financing tools and human capital strategies. AI integration, workforce development and stronger public-private collaboration emerged as the top priorities for scaling demand-side innovation in utilities.
Observer
25-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Nama expands water network in Al Wusta
HAIMA: Nama Water Services is rolling out a series of vital water infrastructure projects across Al Wusta Governorate to ensure sustainable supply for local communities. Eng Ahmed bin Hamoud al Rawahi, Director of Operations and Maintenance for Al Wusta, said that a key project underway in Al Lakbi (Wilayat of Al Jazir) includes 18.5 km of pipeline and 250 household connections. The initiative, costing over RO 300,000, will benefit about 1,300 residents and is due for completion this year. Additionally, three projects have been awarded for the Wilayat of Mahout, covering the areas of Najda, Khalouf and Sarab. Spanning a total of 66 km and comprising 1,000 connections, these projects are set to serve around 5,000 people at a combined cost of RO 1.5 million. Completion is expected by early 2027. In another development, Nama Wastewater Services has signed an agreement to build a desalination plant and distribution network in southern Ghubrah (Wilayat of Al Jazir), in collaboration with Petroleum Development Oman. This project will serve about 170 homes, benefitting nearly 1,000 people, with a total investment of RO 500,000. Design work begins this year and construction is slated for 2026 under a three-year implementation plan. Al Rawahi added that further water and sanitation projects are under review and will be announced based on priorities and funding availability. — ONA
Observer
20-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman fights water system losses with tech, data, and EU expertise
MUSCAT,MAY 20 Tackling rising water scarcity and costly system inefficiencies, Oman is ramping up efforts to cut water losses by turning to data-driven innovations, decentralised wastewater solutions, and lessons learned from European best practices. This was the key focus of a high-level discussion during the 'EU-Oman Energy & Water Collaboration Forum,' where experts shed light on practical solutions for managing non-revenue water and modernising national water infrastructure. The session, titled "Tackling Water Losses & Improving Efficiency – The Role of Technology & Economic Solutions", explored Oman's roadmap to reducing technical losses and enhancing water reuse. FROM CLASSIC METRES TO SMART WATER NETWORKS Khalil Sulaiman Salim al Adawi, Technical Losses Engineer for Operation and Maintenance at Nama Water Services, highlighted the utility's strategic pivot from traditional water metering to smart, data-integrated systems. 'We are now using classical water metres equipped with liquidation systems, but the future lies in building integrated layers of digital tools that allow for daily data collection and predictive maintenance,' he said. Al Adawi outlined Nama Water's four-stage roadmap, launched in 2021, to address water losses. The first phase, already completed, involved mapping losses across the network using analytics and GIS to pinpoint high-loss areas. In the second phase, over 600 pressure-reducing devices (PRDs) were installed nationwide over three years, significantly cutting leakage and pipeline stress. Current efforts include expanding pressure management and building capacity across 30 leakage detection teams. THE DECENTRALISED ADVANTAGE Angelo de Mul, CEO of Dutch firm PureBlue Water, advocated for decentralised wastewater treatment as a more energy-efficient and scalable alternative to conventional sewer networks. 'Decentralised systems allow you to reuse water at the source, for irrigation or even within communities, reducing reliance on costly centralised infrastructure. It's cost-effective and sustainable,' he said. He pointed to successful applications in the Netherlands and other European countries, where compact, decentralised treatment plants operate seamlessly within built environments. 'People often don't even know there's a wastewater plant right beside them — that's the level of integration and reliability we aim for,' he added. De Mul also stressed the importance of standardising water treatment systems and connecting them to data management platforms. 'Innovation is sharper and more effective when combined with reliable data. In the Netherlands, we've developed standardised machines with low carbon footprints to remove toxic substances and recycle water safely for agriculture and even human use,' he noted. VEOLIA BACKS INTEGRATED, RESILIENT SOLUTION Nicolas Le Goff, Chief Operating Officer of Veolia Oman, called for a systemic view of water management. 'The challenge in Oman is not only about reducing leaks, but also about managing wastewater reuse and ensuring energy efficiency throughout the cycle,' he said. 'We believe smart grids, AI-driven asset management, and cross-sector collaboration are essential to solving water losses while delivering sustainable services.' Veolia, a global leader in water and environmental services, has long advocated for circular water strategies, particularly in arid regions like Oman. Le Goff added that Oman's geography makes it a prime candidate for testing scalable solutions in decentralised reuse and smart grid applications. EU LESSONS AND THE WAY FORWARD The panelists agreed that Oman can draw valuable insights from Europe's water management evolution — from data-based planning in the Netherlands to the integration of decentralised systems in remote and urban zones. As Oman plans long-term infrastructure investments, balancing centralised legacy assets with modular, scalable alternatives will be key. Moderator Said al Kamyani, a sustainability expert, concluded that a hybrid model combining smart technology, decentralised reuse, and public-private coordination could be Oman's path to achieving national water security goals. The forum was part of the EU-Oman Energy & Water Collaboration Forum, held at Crowne Plaza OCEC on May 20–21, 2025. It was sponsored by Nama Group and the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project.
Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Nama Water leverages drone and radar technology for sustainable water management
Muscat – Driven by a steadfast vision for sustainable water services and robust water security, Nama Water Services has initiated a significant project focused on meticulously surveying its water networks across the Sultanate. This ambitious undertaking employs high-precision systems to generate accurate topographic maps of existing infrastructure, a crucial step in updating the company's Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This initiative underscores Nama Water Services' ongoing commitmentto the development and enhancement of water networks, not only within the Muscat Governorate but extending to all governorates it serves. Nihad Al Bimani, Assets Data Manager at Nama Water Services, stated, 'This project is designed to enhance/boost the operational efficiency of our older water networksthrough highly accurate analysis using cutting-edge technologies. As/Specifically, we are re- meticulously surveying and documenting networks that were established in the 1980s and even earlier. These older networks often are imprecise and with limited attribute information.'She further emphasized that 'This initiative will be instrumental in building an accurate and comprehensive geospatial databases. This groundwork is crucial for our future strategic plans to meet NWS obligations and step closer towards the digital transformation to integrate geographical systems with key operational platforms like Netbase, CMMS, and CCB systems. Looking ahead, we also aim to incorporate Internet of Things (IoT) technologies with the GoeArtificial Intelligence (GeoAI) into our daily operations. Ultimately, this will lead to improved resource management and the delivery of smart, sustainable solutions. The data we gathered through this project will empower us to make more informed decisions down the line and directly support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which prioritizes sustainability and comprehensive development.' 'The comprehensive project encompasses every facet asset of the water network,' added Bimaniyah, 'beginning at the primary water source and extending through pumping, vacuum and lifting stations, storage tanks and reservoirs, Tanker filling stations, ultimately reaching individual household connections. Furthermore, a systematic inventory of all network assets will be undertaken, including household watermeters, capturing meter details such serial numbers, consumer account numbers, and meter usage; residential, commercial, or governmental.' Upon the completion Survey work has been completed in the Wilayat of Qurayyat and Amerat, and work is in progress in the Wilayat Bawsher. This crucial phase will employ latest technologies to ensure accurate network mapping achieved, by deploying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for comprehensive aerial data capturing, while Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology in areas where existing water network locations are undetermined, enabling precise identification of underground infrastructure. This strategic approach underscores a commitment to efficiency and accuracy as the project progresses. This project uses cutting-edge technologies to survey data with remarkable accuracy of down to five centimeters. Our aim is to build a comprehensive, high-precision, and reliable GIS (Geographic Information System) database of water network. This Geodatabase shall be instrumental in elevating the quality of our services for subscribers, streamlining operational efficiency, and tackling the significant challenge of water loss inherent in older water systems.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Nama Water leverages drone and radar technology for sustainable water management
Muscat – Driven by a steadfast vision for sustainable water services and robust water security, Nama Water Services has initiated a significant project focused on meticulously surveying its water networks across the Sultanate. This ambitious undertaking employs high-precision systems to generate accurate topographic maps of existing infrastructure, a crucial step in updating the company's Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This initiative underscores Nama Water Services' ongoing commitment to the development and enhancement of water networks, not only within the Muscat Governorate but extending to all governorates it serves. Nihad Al Bimani, Assets Data Manager at Nama Water Services, stated, 'This project is designed to enhance/boost the operational efficiency of our older water networks through highly accurate analysis using cutting-edge technologies. As/Specifically, we are re- meticulously surveying and documenting networks that were established in the 1980s and even earlier. These older networks often are imprecise and with limited attribute information.' She further emphasized that 'This initiative will be instrumental in building an accurate and comprehensive geospatial databases. This groundwork is crucial for our future strategic plans to meet NWS obligations and step closer towards the digital transformation to integrate geographical systems with key operational platforms like Netbase, CMMS, and CCB systems. Looking ahead, we also aim to incorporate Internet of Things (IoT) technologies with the GoeArtificial Intelligence (GeoAI) into our daily operations. Ultimately, this will lead to improved resource management and the delivery of smart, sustainable solutions. The data we gathered through this project will empower us to make more informed decisions down the line and directly support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which prioritizes sustainability and comprehensive development.' 'The comprehensive project encompasses every facet asset of the water network,' added Bimaniyah, 'beginning at the primary water source and extending through pumping, vacuum and lifting stations, storage tanks and reservoirs, Tanker filling stations, ultimately reaching individual household connections. Furthermore, a systematic inventory of all network assets will be undertaken, including household water meters, capturing meter details such serial numbers, consumer account numbers, and meter usage; residential, commercial, or governmental.' Upon the completion Survey work has been completed in the Wilayat of Qurayyat and Amerat, and work is in progress in the Wilayat Bawsher. This crucial phase will employ latest technologies to ensure accurate network mapping achieved, by deploying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for comprehensive aerial data capturing, while Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology in areas where existing water network locations are undetermined, enabling precise identification of underground infrastructure. This strategic approach underscores a commitment to efficiency and accuracy as the project progresses. This project uses cutting-edge technologies to survey data with remarkable accuracy of down to five centimeters. Our aim is to build a comprehensive, high-precision, and reliable GIS (Geographic Information System) database of water network. This Geodatabase shall be instrumental in elevating the quality of our services for subscribers, streamlining operational efficiency, and tackling the significant challenge of water loss inherent in older water systems. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
