Strategic measures to tackle water deficit in Oman |
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MUSCAT -- The Sultanate's national water resources strategy has drawn up a series of measures aimed at tackling a worrisome 25 per cent deficit amounting to 387 million cubic metres a year. The annual estimated available water in Oman is 1,300 million cubic metres a year, Said Nasser al Habsi, Deputy Director-General of Water Resources Management at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, told the Observer. Redistribution of water resources through a quota system and retention of the newly developed Al Massarat and Sharqiyah Sands aquifers as a strategic reserve are at the core of the strategy entailing water use for the next 15 years.
"The available water is declining in such a manner that sustainability is of great concern. Demand for water is rising in all sectors," Al Habsi said. The annual mean average rainfall in Oman is only 100 mm, he added. The new aquifers developed in Oman - Al Massarat and Sharqiyah Sands will be preserved as a strategic reserve to be used only during emergencies. Desalinated water will be supplied through these networks to residents in Dhahirah and Sharqiyah regions, Al Habsi said. The accelerating pace of development is felt in all sectors where everyone needs water. There is big pressure from these new developments and the available resources need to be utilised to the maximum advantage to meet the growing demand, Al Habsi said.
The Sultanate's government has been aware of this vital requirement for a long time. Time and again, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos during meet-the-people tours and National Day speeches has made pertinent reference to this issue of national importance, Al Habsi said. The government is planning to introduce a quota system wherein priority will be given to drinking water, followed by domestic use, industrial, municipal and agriculture sectors. Presently, the main consumer of water is the agriculture sector, accounting for 92 per cent of the available resources. In contrast, the domestic requirement is only three per cent of the resources.
The redistribution of water through a quota system is the only way out to tackle the challenge facing the Sultanate, Al Habsi said. The national master plan on water resources (2003-2023) has envisaged the gradual introduction of the quota system without disturbing the country's socio-economic elements. A lot of studies and research are required to transform the agriculture sector to make it reliant on the available water resources. Green house farming techniques and modern irrigation systems can lead to substantial saving of water as also sub-surface irrigation which can avoid evaporation of water.
A change in crop patterns can be helpful as only economically viable crops will be grown, Al Habsi said. Relocation of farms is also being done, especially farms in coastal areas engaged in growing fodder grass. Fossil water in desert areas can be sued for growing fodder grass, Al Habsi said. As part of the water resources strategy, setting up of new farms as well as expansion of farms are not allowed in Oman. The Sultanate has huge quantities of brackish water which can be tapped for aqua culture and crops which are tolerant to such water, Al Habsi said. The changes in land use will also help bring down the water requirements as farms can be now converted for domestic and commercial use.
The concept of 'virtual water' can to a great extent help a nation like Oman to tackle the water problem. The concept mainly focuses on imported agricultural and dairy products consumed in Oman. If one were to calculate the quantity of water required to grow these produce in the country, the nation in effect is saving a substantial quantity of water by importing them, Al Habsi said. The national requirement of water will go up by three times if agriculture and dairy produce are sourced within the country, he added. Over-extraction of water is acutely felt in the coastal belts of Oman in Batinah and Dhofar regions where the problem of saline intrusion caused by sea water is seen in the water table, Al Habsi said.
The Sultanate has adopted an integrated water resources management strategy wherein all users are taken into consideration. Demand management is another strategy in which demand is adjusted with available supply, Al Habsi noted. Desalinated water is uneconomical and also not sustainable as the country is running out of energy supplies. Desalinated water in Oman costs 700 baisa per cubic metre, Al Habsi said. The Sultanate has also taken steps to augment water harvesting systems. To tap flash flood water, dams are being built.
The construction of Wadi Daiqah dam will augment water supply to the extent of 35 million cubic metres a year, Al Habsi said. The dam will have a capacity for 100 million cubic metres, fed by the perennial Wadi Daiqah. A good quantity of water from the dam will be earmarked for domestic use while the agriculture sector will receive 10 million cubic metres a year, mainly for farmers affected by the construction of the dam, Al Habsi pointed out.
By Ebby Chacko George
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
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