MUSCAT: Nama Water Services has awarded a RO 890 million contract to the French-led National Water Alliance (NWA) consortium to operate and modernise water and wastewater services for more than 2.3 million people across Muscat, North Al Sharqiyah and South Al Sharqiyah governorates.

The 15-year performance-based contract, signed during His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s state visit to France, is among the largest water management agreements in the Middle East and marks a significant step in Oman’s efforts to strengthen water security, improve operational efficiency and accelerate digital transformation in the utilities sector.

The National Water Alliance brings together French utility giant SUEZ, National Trading Company and National Energy Center. The consortium will deliver the project through National Sustainable Water Alliance LLC, combining international expertise with local capabilities to implement a global operating model for water and wastewater management.

Nama said the project is designed to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of water services while building a smarter and more resilient infrastructure network capable of meeting future demand.

Under the agreement, the operator will manage more than 10,700 kilometres of water networks, supplying approximately 470,000 cubic metres of drinking water daily. It will also oversee around 3,000 kilometres of wastewater networks and 400 kilometres of reclaimed water networks across the three governorates.

The scope of work includes operating and maintaining 22 wastewater treatment plants with a combined treatment capacity of about 280,000 cubic metres per day, developing and rehabilitating four desalination plants, and operating and maintaining 340 wells.

Nama said the contract places strong emphasis on digital transformation through the deployment of advanced technologies, smart solutions and data-driven governance systems to improve service delivery and operational performance. More than 400,000 smart meters are expected to be operated under the programme.

The initiative also includes workforce development and knowledge-transfer programmes aimed at strengthening local expertise in the sector. The project targets an Omanisation rate of 83 per cent, supporting the development of national talent and long-term capacity building.

The agreement reflects growing economic and infrastructure cooperation between Oman and France and is expected to contribute to the Sultanate’s long-term sustainability goals while enhancing the reliability and efficiency of essential water services for millions of residents.