Muscat:The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has entered into an agreement with Nama Water Services Company to implement a smart metering system aimed at monitoring water consumption across licensed groundwater wells in Oman. This initiative is intended to improve water resource management and ensure sustainability.
According to Oman News Agency, the agreement was signed by Eng. Ali bin Mohammed Al Abri, the Ministry's Undersecretary for Water Resources, and Qais bin Saud Al Zakwani, CEO of Nama Water Services Company. The plan involves creating a unified national digital platform to monitor groundwater consumption through the installation of smart meters. These meters will be connected electronically to provide real-time data flow, aiding in consumption tracking, resource management, and informed decision-making.
The project will begin with the installation and operation of smart meters for approximately 1,000 licensed wells from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2028. This phase includes wells supplying 'Aflaj', water bottling units, investment projects, and farms. The system will utilize local cloud infrastructure and 'LoRaWAN' wireless technology, adhering to national standards for data protection and cybersecurity.
Nama Water Services will finance and manage the project, including the installation of meters and overseeing the digital platform. The Ministry will focus on monitoring the system and developing groundwater well regulations, aiming to protect and sustain water resources.
This agreement is part of Oman's broader efforts to safeguard water security and align with the country's sustainable development goals.