Muscat – The APSR has issued Resolution No. 31/2023 to regulate the quality of drinking water based on the law regulating the water and sanitation sector issued by Royal Decree No. 40/2023 and on the approval of the Board of Directors of the Authority and the public interest.

The decision seeks to preserve the high quality of water sources in Oman, activate operational and administrative determinants of water quality and guarantee the enforcement of the water safety plan by stating the rights, obligations, requirements and approved technical emergency conditions governing licensees and subscribers.

The decision emerges as a major regulatory framework that organizes the functioning of companies concerned, following the recent issuance of the Water and Sanitation Regulation Law.
The Resolution ensures the safety of water sources from damage and infringement by others; specifies obligations of licensees regarding water quality, lists scope of responsibility of licensees regarding ensuring water quality and the procedures to be followed if water samples do not conform to approved specifications.

The provisions of the regulations shall apply to regulate the quality of potable water and everything that contravenes the attached regulation, or conflicts with its provisions, shall be cancelled.
The resolution defines licensee as a legal person who carries out a regulated activity pursuant to a license issued by the Authority. This includes operating companies to which water and sanitation sector activities have been transferred pursuant to the provisions of Royal Decree No. 131/2020 regarding the water and sanitation sector.

Water is described as unbottled drinking water according to standards approved by the competent authority; water source as the facility from which water is supplied, such as desalination plants, wells, and main and subsidiary tanks, or through it, such as networks and tankers; and surveillance areas as locations determined by the licensee in the licensing area according to the water source.