Nama Water Services conducts pilot project for decentralised treatment unit accreditation
Nama Water Services, in partnership with Fuji Clean Company and Green Technology Company, embarked on a groundbreaking initiative focused on the accreditation testing of domestic sewage treatment units.
This collaboration aimed to introduce a decentralised sewage system using mini-grids and stations equipped with advanced tertiary treatment technology in the Sultanate of Oman.
The signed agreement established a pilot project for the accreditation testing of select sewage treatment units. The primary objective of this project was to verify the performance of these units and ensure that the treated water adhered to the stringent effluent quality standards set by the Sultanate of Oman.
Eng Ibrahim bin Mohammed al Harthy, Chief Planning and Asset Management Officer at Nama Water Services, highlighted that this agreement aligned with Nama Water Services’“home Sewage Units Project,” which aimed to establish decentralised wastewater treatment systems.
These systems, comprising mini-grids or stations serving multiple homes or remote areas, utilised advanced tertiary treatment processes. This initiative not only expanded sewage services but also supported Nama Water Services’ strategic plans for network growth in both urban and rural areas.
The challenge of wastewater treatment in geographically difficult areas was addressed through the utilisation of cutting-edge technology to efficiently treat wastewater in locations where conventional sewer network construction was impractical.
Under this agreement, a pilot project aimed to evaluate the performance of decentralised wastewater treatment technology through a rigorous accreditation process. This project utilised contact filtration technology provided by Fuji Clean, a renowned Japanese company.
The comprehensive testing encompassed all technical aspects to ensure that the treated effluent met the established quality standards of the Sultanate of Oman.
Eng Said bin Humaid al Asmi, Senior Research and Development Engineer at Nama Water Services, explained that a pilotscale decentralised wastewater treatment station would be deployed to simulate real-world conditions.
This station, utilising Fixed-bed bioreactor technology developed by Fuji Clean, had a capacity of five cubic metres. The main objective of this project was to assess the compliance of the treated effluent with Omani regulations and Nama Water Services’ standards for high-quality wastewater treatment. A thorough evaluation, including quality testing of the system components and materials, reviews of the asset lifecycle, and considerations of geographical and climatic conditions, was conducted to ensure adherence to industry standards.
The implementation of the pilot project was scheduled to commence in April 2024 at the Al Ansab facility.
The trial period, spanning from 3 to 6 months, allowed for comprehensive testing and evaluation of the technology.
The successful completion of this project would qualify Fuji Clean Company to participate in future tenders issued by Nama Water Services Company, ultimately aiming to improve sewage treatment quality and reduce operational costs.
Nama Water Services’ commitment to rigorous testing procedures ensured the quality of project equipment and the safety of its installation.
The team engaged with Fuji Clean engineers to discuss the technical aspects of the wastewater treatment technology, exploring its successful implementation in various countries. The pilot project served to confirm the suitability of this technology for use in the Sultanate of Oman.
Dr Buthaina bint Mahfoudh al Wahaibiyah, Head of the Research, Studies, and Innovation Department at Nama Water Services, emphasised the environmental and economic advantages of this project in wastewater management strategies.
By focusing on decentralised treatment systems, operational simplicity, cost-efficiency, adaptable treatment options, reduced sludge generation, and local reuse of treated water were highlighted as key benefits. This strategy aligned with sustainable development principles, promoting economic efficiency, environmental protection, and energy conservation.