Oman water distribution network to cost $31.17m

$31.17m into water infrastructure

As water infrastructure projects continue to be invested in throughout the Middle East, Oman has made a big step by awarding a $31.17 million contract to Galfar Construction & Engineering Co to build a water distribution network in the northwest of the country.

Speaking to Reuters, an unnamed official said the project would see "Galfar building reservoirs, including trenching and pipelines to connect to all houses in the area."

It would be another big coup for Galfar who in April won over $100 million worth of contracts for covering road projects and a hospital building.

Earlier in the month, the company also sealed a deal to buy over a quarter stake in Shaheen Al Ghanim Roads & Bridges Contracting Company of Kuwait. This acquisition was made in order for Galfar to extend its operations in the growing infrastructure business in Kuwait.

The company has however taken hits recently, with a first quarter loss of close to $2.78 million due to the downturn in the sector and increases in project costs.

Increase in water infrastructure investment

Last year, a report was published that by 2030 a 'perfect storm' of population increases, food shortages and diminishing water supplies would reach breaking point and as such many governments have been making sure they don't waste any of their resources, especially in the Middle East where water isn't as plentiful as in other countries.

Countries such as the UAE have, to prevent water waste and misuse, implemented 'water conservation laws'. The UAE doesn't have any form of water conservation regulation and such matters are generally handled on a local regional level. This often leads to mismanagement and millions of gallons going to waste. As such, water resource researchers are calling for more monitoring of environmental impacts on the UAE's main source of water, the Arabian Gulf.

Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that is ensuring that water is treated with the respect that it deserves, by stating they are planning on investing US$53 billion into a variety of water projects over the next 15 years.

Relevant articles:

Water infrastructure in the Middle East | IBM: Making water in the desert | Saudi Arabia puts $53bn into water projects | UAE to implement first 'water conservation law' | Abu Dhabi's $2bn power need

Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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