Nama Water conducts accreditation testing through a major pilot project

This accreditation process paves the way for Nama Water to introduce a decentralised sewage system utilising mini-grids and stations equipped with advanced tertiary treatment technology

Nama Water Services revealed the details of the signed agreement with Fuji Clean Company and Green Technology Company. The focus of the collaboration is the accreditation of domestic sewage treatment units. This accreditation process paves the way for Nama Water to introduce a decentralised sewage system utilising mini-grids and stations equipped with advanced tertiary treatment technology.

This agreement establishes a pilot project for accreditation testing of select sewage treatment units. The project aims to verify their performance and ensure that treated water consistently meets the Sultanate of Oman’s standard specifications for effluent quality.

Eng. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Harthy, Chief Planning and Asset Management Officer at Nama Water Services noted: “This agreement aligns with Nama’s Water Services “Home Sewage Units Project,” which establishes decentralised wastewater treatment systems. These mini-grids or stations, serving multiple homes or remote areas, utilise advanced tertiary treatment processes. This initiative expands sewage services and supports Nama Water Services’ strategic plans for network growth. It reflects the Company’s commitment to expedite sewage service delivery throughout Oman, encompassing both urban and rural areas.”

The initiative addresses the challenge of wastewater treatment in geographically difficult areas, leveraging cutting-edge technology to efficiently treat wastewater in locations where conventional sewer network construction is challenging.

“Nama Water Services intends to implement a pilot project to evaluate the performance of a decentralised wastewater treatment technology through a rigorous accreditation process. This project will utilise contact filtration technology manufactured and supplied by Fuji Clean, a Japanese company. The technology will undergo comprehensive testing encompassing all technical aspects to ensure the treated effluent meets the Sultanate of Oman’s established quality standards,” Al Harthy said.

Commenting on the pilot project mentioned in the agreement, Eng. Said Humaid Al Asmi, Senior Research and Development Engineer at Nama Water Services, said: “A pilot-scale decentralised wastewater treatment station will be deployed to simulate real-world conditions. This station will have a capacity of five cubic metres and utilise fixed-bed bioreactor technology developed by Fuji Clean, a Japanese company. The primary objective of this project is to assess the treated effluent’s compliance with Omani regulations and Nama Water Services’ standards for high-quality wastewater treatment. To ensure the technology’s suitability, a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted, including Quality testing of the system, including the materials used in its construction, the equipment, and the materials used in the processing operation, and a review of the asset lifecycle from all technical aspects. This analysis will verify adherence to industry standards and ensure meeting the project’s specific requirements. This analysis will consider the Omani geographical and climatic conditions, and ensure the devices and materials possess the necessary durability to meet the company’s expected lifespan.”

“The implementation of the pilot project is scheduled to commence in April 2024. Upon arrival in the Sultanate, the treatment station will be deployed at the Al Ansab facility to begin operations. The trial period will range from 3 to 6 months, allowing for comprehensive testing and evaluation of the technology. Successful completion will qualify Fuji Clean Company to participate in future tenders issued by Nama Water Services Company. This initiative aims to improve sewage treatment quality and reduce operational costs.” Al Asmi elaborated.

Ensuring the quality of project equipment and the safety of its installation, Nama Water Services prioritises rigorous testing procedures. All technologies and devices undergo thorough evaluation before deployment to confirm compatibility with approved company specifications. Recently, the team met with Fuji Clean engineers to discuss the technical aspects of their wastewater treatment technology. The meeting also explored the technology’s implementation in various countries, including Australia, the United States, and several Asian nations. The aim of the pilot project is to fully confirm the suitability of this technology for use in the Sultanate of Oman

Dr. Buthaina Mahfoudh Al Wahaibi, Head of the Research, Studies, and Innovation Department at

Nama Water Services highlighted the project’s potential environmental and economic advantages in the context of wastewater management strategies, saying: “There are two primary approaches: centraliaed and decentralised. Centralised systems, while effective, can be costly to establish and maintain, particularly in lowdensity areas. Conversely, decentralised treatment, which focuses on on-site processing, sees a rise in interest. Decentralised systems offer operational simplicity, costefficiency due to minimised collection infrastructure, adaptable treatment options, reduced sludge generation, and optimal local reuse of treated water. This strategy aligns perfectly with sustainable development principles, promoting economic efficiency, environmental protection, and energy conservation.”

Nama Water Services entered into a landmark agreement with Fuji Clean, a global leader in wastewater treatment systems, and local partner Green Technologies Company. The agreement focuses on the implementation of household sewage treatment units and the development of innovative treatment technologies. The signing ceremony was distinguished by the presence of His Excellency Iwata kazuchika, State Minister at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, alongside esteemed officials from the Oman Investment Authority, the Public Services Regulatory Authority, Nama Holding Group, and the Japanese Embassy in Oman.