ABSTRACT
Salalah is the capital of the southern part of Sultanate of Oman. Its population and development are growing rapidly while its unconfined coastal aquifer, which is the only source of fresh water, is in deficit. Water security of this city needs to a feasible master plan to protect and develop its water resources and for the provision of water requirements for its future plans. The recommended master plan has been developed on the basis of comparisons of four alternative options for water supply and waste water management, including various combinations of the water supply options such as relocation of dodder production which is consuming large quantities of fresh water, aquifer recharge with treated waste water and desalination of sea water. The feasible master plan represents the best combination of technical, economic, social and environmental aspects. More specifically, it will eliminate the water deficit and if possible move actively in the direction of restoring and preserving the Salalah fresh water aquifer i.e. its water security.
