10 August 2015
Spanish-based global integrated water technology and infrastructure specialist Abeima has emerged the lowest bidder for a major contract to build the only sewage treatment plant (STP) that will cater to sewage bowser trucks long after much of Oman's capital city has been connected to a world-class sewerage collection system. Estimated to cost around $100 million, the new Tanker STP project proposed to be established in Misfah in Bausher Wilayat will offer a lifeline to sewage bowser operators whose numbers continue to dwindle as homes and commercial buildings across Muscat are plugged directly into the citywide wastewater network.

The tender attracted three firm offers that are currently under evaluation. Aside from Abeima, bids have also been received from the joint venture of water services giant SUEZ Environment and CCC, as well as from India-based multinational firm VA Tech Wabag Ltd. The successful bidder will secure a contract to design, build and operate (optional for two years) the Tanker STP at Misfah. The facility is due to come into operation by the end of 2018.

Haya Water (Oman Wastewater Services Company), a wholly government-owned entity, is building a state-of-the-art sewerage collection and treatment system covering much of Muscat Governorate at a cost of around RO 2 billion.

Misfah's location on the northwestern fringes of the capital makes it an ideal setting for the establishment of a dedicated sewage treatment plant catering exclusively to bowser-transported sewage, according to a senior official of Haya Water.

The goal, says Suleiman al Qasmi, General Manager Asset Management, is to divert what's left of bowser-based sewage collection services to a facility operating on the outer limits of the city.

Plans drawn by Haya Water envisage a 32,000 cubic metres /day capacity Sewage Treatment Plant complete with an expansive tanker queuing area that can accommodate up to 74 tankers at a time.
The facility will also come with 48 tanker discharge bays equipped with flow meters and online quality monitors.

At the downstream end of the facility, a pipeline will be installed to carry treated effluent to Haya Water's storage tanks at Al Ansab located some 14 kilometres away. Facilities for the loading of treated effluent into tankers will be set up as well.

According to Al Qasmi, the Misfah Tanker STP contract had to be refloated due to a tepid response from contractors when it was first tendered out last year.

Significantly, Misfah is the newest catchment to be added to Haya Water's upgraded Master Plan for the multi-billion dollar Muscat Wastewater Project the result of the capital city's burgeoning population growth and urban development, says Al Qasmi.

© Oman Daily Observer 2015