Water - Oman's special treasure

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In contrast to the other Gulf states, Oman has a relatively large amount of water. The humid air masses of the region rise up the flanks of the Hajar Mountains, which are over 3000 metres high, and rain down regularly over the mountains, feeding the groundwater table. In order to meet the constantly growing demand for water and to prevent too much of the precious water from flowing from the mountain slopes into the sea or the desert when it rains, more than 30 dams have been built in the region to date. Boreholes drilled deep into the rock channel the rainwater retained by the dams directly into the groundwater.

Remote areas that are not connected to the falaj system are supplied with drinking water lorries or, as in Musandam, with the help of tankers. The water requirements in the large cities on the coast are mainly covered by seawater desalination plants.