05
The Imperative Need to Recycle Limited Water Resources

The Sultanate of Oman is an Islamic country on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, facing the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Not many Japanese know about this Middle Eastern country; however, the people in Oman feel kinship with Japan partly because Sultan Qaboos often cites Japan as a model for their national development. Economically, too, Japan is important for Oman as they export approximately 16.6% of their oil to Japan, the nation’s second largest export destination after China^*6. Ever since the country began producing oil in 1967, the Omani economy has prospered by maintaining a sole focus on oil—that is, deriving nearly all of its income from oil exports much like the other oil-producing countries in the Middle East. Due to a decline in oil prices over the past few years, however, Oman is facing financial difficulties. Furthermore, its oil reserves are estimated at 5.6 billion barrels, with the ratio of reserves to production being rather small at 14.6 years^*7, which makes a departure from dependence on oil an urgent requirement.

This being the case, Oman has recently changed course and is seeking sustainable development with earnings from oil and gas. In its long-term national strategy, Oman Vision 2020, it listed a variety of themes, such as stabilization of private income and maintenance of economic growth, development of human resources, expansion of job opportunities for the Omani people, and development of the private sector through promotion of investments. Also on the list is the privatization of the sewage treatment systems, and sewage treatment is a national priority.

Oman’s total area is approximately 310,000 km2 (making it threefourths the size of Japan), 82% of which is covered by sand/dirt deserts. Classified as existing within a desert climate, the country does not have any rivers. Annual precipitation is very low, with 100 mm for the national average. Of this water, some 80% of the rainfall evaporates, 5% pours into the sea, and 15% accumulates underground. Because of this climate, Oman suffered chronic water shortages until a breakthrough, when its first seawater desalination plant was constructed to start supplying water to the capital Muscat in 1976. Subsequently, seawater desalination plants were constructed at various locations in the country, while a water supply network was developed to supply safe water to the people. As the population keeps growing in rapidly urbanizing Muscat and other cities, however, the country is faced with the serious challenge of wastewater treatment. This is not unique to Oman, as the issue of wastewater treatment has surfaced in fast-urbanizing regions of the world. Nevertheless, the situation is particularly serious in desert countries such as Oman, where water is an extremely precious resource. In order to recycle this limited resource without wasting it, an advanced wastewater treatment system was required.