South Sharqiyah to have groundwater recharge dam

South Sharqiyah to have groundwater recharge dam

Muscat – As part of its efforts to raise the country’s groundwater level, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) will build a groundwater recharge dam in Wadi Sal in South Sharqiyah.

‘The ministry is looking for partnership with a private sector firm for building a groundwater recharge dam in Wadi Sal in the wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, for which a tender has been floated,’ MAFWR informed through a statement.

The ministry has built 174 dams, 56 of which are for groundwater recharge, 115 surface storage and three for flood protection in various governorates.

The deadline for submission of tenders is February 8, the ministry added.

MAFWR provides irrigation facilities by constructing dams – which are of three types: groundwater recharge dams, storage and flood prevention embankments; implementing projects for the maintenance of aflaj; digging auxiliary wells and issuing water licences, while constantly monitoring water levels in those area.

According to statistics released by MAFWR, 808 water licences were issued in December last to drill new wells.

The statistics show that the governorate of Dakhliyah led in obtaining licences to dig new wells, with 217 licences, followed by 160 in Dhahirah, 117 in South Batinah, 114 in North Sharqiyah, 100 in North