Muscat – Untreated groundwater may not always be safe for direct use, and residents should rely primarily on water supplied through the public network, a senior official at the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has said, warning that private wells may pose potential health risks if not properly tested and monitored.

In an interview, Saud Al Shaithani, Director General of Water and Wastewater at APSR, said groundwater requires continuous monitoring to ensure its safety and should not be used directly without proper testing.

He noted that household water filters cannot remove all contaminants, as some pollutants require specialised treatment and disinfection.

Al Shaithani also warned of the risk of sewage leakage contaminating groundwater, describing it as a continuing challenge. He therefore advised residents to depend mainly on water supplied through the public network.

He explained that groundwater management falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, while the authority coordinates closely on meeting water demand and forecasting consumption.

The government also faces challenges in planning demand, he said, particularly when groundwater shortages push some users to shift suddenly to the public network, leading to spikes in consumption.

Al Shaithani added that water supplied through the network is subject to strict monitoring and regular testing. More than 1mn laboratory tests have been conducted to ensure its safety and quality.