Urban Water Security and Demand Management in Muscat | Governance, Desalination, and Climate Resilience
Our Future Water Intelligence has released the Urban Water Security and Demand Management in Muscat report.
Authored by Robert C. Brears, Founder of Our Future Water Intelligence and a recognized authority on global water security with publications from Oxford University Press, Palgrave, and Springer Nature, this City Water System Brief presents an authoritative, evidence-based assessment of Muscat’s water sector at a decisive moment.
Key Findings
• Desalination provides 75–86% of Muscat’s potable supply, making the city highly dependent on energy-intensive, carbon-heavy technologies.
• Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reached 39.6% of system input in 2023, equivalent to 177.8 million m³ lost, costing tens of millions of Omani rials annually.
• Supply resilience has been bolstered by new plants like Barka V (105,000 m³/day) and Ghubrah III IWP (300,000 m³/day), alongside diversification with dam purification and treated effluent reuse.
• Phased tariff reforms, smart metering (320,000+ units installed), and AI-driven leak detection are central to demand management strategies.
• Climate risks are acute: 45% of urban areas are exposed to flood hazards, while rising temperatures increase energy-water nexus pressures.
• Oman Vision 2040, the Net Zero by 2050 roadmap, and major investments exceeding RO 700 million are redefining governance, financing, and sustainability.
Expert Insight
“Muscat faces the dual challenge of extreme water scarcity and high-carbon supply systems,” said Robert C. Brears, Founder of Our Future Water Intelligence. “This Brief equips policymakers, investors, and professionals with the strategic intelligence necessary to manage demand, secure reliable supply, and advance decarbonization in one of the most stressed environments in the Middle East.”
What’s Inside the Report
• Detailed profile of Muscat’s water resources, demand patterns, and climate vulnerabilities.
• Governance and regulatory overview, including tariffs, subsidies, and institutional responsibilities.
• Infrastructure assessment covering desalination capacity, wastewater treatment, dams, and stormwater defenses.
• Strategic outlook identifying future risks, efficiency targets, and investment needs.
• Priority actions focusing on NRW reduction, renewable-powered desalination, tariff reform, and circular water approaches.
Why This Report Matters
Muscat epitomizes the challenges of water security in arid urban contexts. While Oman has delivered remarkable progress through large-scale desalination, advanced governance, and treated effluent reuse, rising fiscal costs, climate risks, and infrastructure pressures demand urgent reform and innovation. This Brief delivers the insights required for informed policy, investment, and long-term resilience planning.
Read the report here Urban Water Security and Demand Management in Muscat
