MUSCAT -- The Seeb wastewater project the second phase of a comprehensive sewage network in Muscat Governorate is gaining momentum with the company inviting bids for pre-qualifying companies for various development programmes.
The state-owned Oman Wastewater Services Company (OWSC) has floated three tenders for shortlisting specialised contractors for building a multi-million sewage treatment plant (STP), main collector sewer and networks, vacuum sewage collection systems and for designing a state of the art network for an area covering almost 507-sq kilometres.
The proposed STP for Seeb project will have covered structures to ensure a 100 per cent odour free environment and to produce high quality treated effluent, which will be sold to Muscat Municipality, golf courses, country clubs and real estate developers. The second phase follows the first phase of the project in Bausher area, which is under construction now, covering an area from Hilat Al Sad to Al Qurum, MSQ Madinat Al Elam, Al Khuwair, Al Ghubrah until Al Athaiba.
The first phase includes the construction of a sewage network, a sewage treatment plant and rehabilitation of the four existing STPs. The construction contract of the sewage network collection system in Bausher was awarded to China's Sino Hydro Corporation for RO 57.8 million. The Seeb wastewater scheme includes constructing a sewage treatment plant (STP), a 25 km-long trunk line and three lifting stations.
It is expected that the projects will be awarded to the winners by the end of the year and construction may start by early next year. The entire work of the second phase is expected to complete by either 2010 or 2011. The scheme for Seeb includes 550 kms of gravity sewers, 8,000 manholes, UPVC sewers and HDPE concrete chambers and 211-km of treated effluent pipeline.
The STP will require 45,000 cubic metres of concrete and 7,000 tonnes of steel. During the construction stage, major contractors and specialised sub-contractors (especially those specialised in building tunnels) will get business. Also, there will be opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers of pipes, manholes, chambers and mechanical equipment for pumping stations.
Producers of electric and instrumentation and control equipment for pumping stations will also get good opportunities. The STP will be awarded on the basis of design, build and operate (DBO), while some other turnkey works will be awarded as an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract basis.
The whole plan is aimed at providing sewage disposal connection to 46,000 households in Seeb area and to supply treated water for irrigation purpose for the municipality. Around 600 people will get employment in the second phase of development. But during the construction phase, 3,000 to 4,000 people will get temporary employment. The whole development (of replacing the outdated septic tank system) is divided into three-phases to serve 90 per cent of the Muscat population by 2017.
By A E James
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
