Water and electricity services are supplied by the government and are generally efficient and reliable. There is no main gas service but bottled gas (LPG) is available for cooking. Power cuts – lasting from a few minutes to several hours – occur every now and then but rarely pose a major inconvenience. It helps to have a stock of candles and torches handy, just in case. Utility bills are paid at Oman Investment & Finance Company (OIFC) or through your bank or ATM. To use the ATM service, you have to register your details by phone (the bank will have the number). Once you are registered, it means you can pay your bills outside banking hours, without having to stand in queues. The bank transfer system is slower than paying directly to OIFC so allow a few extra days so that you don’t get disconnected. Wherever you pay, make sure your bill is stamped and that you keep it for reference – you may need it for proof of payment at a later date.

Electricity

The electricity supply in Oman is 220/240 volts and 50 cycles. Sockets correspond to the British three-pin plug but many appliances are sold with two-pin plugs, so you will need lots of adaptors (available in any supermarket or corner shop) – better still, change all the plugs.

Water

Though some water comes from natural wells, there is not enough to service the country’s needs so most of the supply is from the sea, processed at the desalination plant at Al Ghubbrah. The main supply of water is very reliable but not all of Muscat’s residential areas are connected to it. If your house is not, you will have to rely on a water bowser to fill up your tank every two or three days. Water trucks for domestic use are blue (the green ones carry non-potable water, for municipal garden watering and industrial use) and they are everywhere – just flag one down or ask your neighbours which ‘water-man’ they use. You will often see several trucks filling up at one of the water wells dotted around the city. Expect to pay around RO 25 a month for truck water. Oman Oasis will deliver (800 71222). 

If you are connected to the main supply, keep an eye on your bills and water meter; if you have an underground leak within your property boundary you could be held responsible for a hefty bill, even if you weren’t aware of the leak. In the heat of summer, it’s unlikely you’ll have the chance to take a refreshing cold shower. Water tanks are usually located on the roof, where they are heated to near boiling point by the sun, and you can’t even stand under the shower because it’s so hot. Between April and October, the only way to get a cool shower is to turn off your water heater, and use the hot water tap.

Oman’s water is safe to drink as it is purified eight times. However, it is heavily chlorinated (which affects the taste) so most people prefer to drink one of the many locally bottled mineral waters. Apart from the coffee shops, all restaurants will supply bottled water. If in doubt, ask for a sealed bottle to be brought to your table. You can get 20 litre bottles of purified water for use at home, either with a hand pump or a water cooler. These are available from shops and supermarkets, and you pay a RO 6 deposit per bottle, and refills cost RO 1. Alternatively, get a company to deliver the water to your house.

Rubbish Disposal & Recycling

The rubbish disposal system in Oman is efficient – it has to be, because the health hazards of mounds of domestic waste festering in the sweltering heat would be too great. Large metal containers (skips) are placed at regular intervals along residential streets and you just chuck your daily rubbish bags into them. Skips are emptied regularly by rubbish trucks (although not before the local ‘bin cats’ have had a good rummage).

There is a landfill site at Al Amerat – previously waste was just dumped in
the desert. Unfortunately, there are no recycling systems at present, the argument being that it would be too expensive to implement and educate people on how to use it effectively.

Sewerage

All properties in Oman have septic tanks, which must be emptied regularly by one of the yellow sewerage trucks. The cost for having a septic tank emptied is between RO 10 and RO 14 each time, and you’ll probably have to get it done about once a year (you’ll know when it’s time from the smell). If you need to order a sewerage truck, the easiest way is to call the number on the back of one of the yellow tankers, or ask a neighbour. Alternatively, call Oman Wastewater Services Company (800 77111). The Oman Wastewater Services Company (haya.com.om) is currently undertaking a RO 350 million sewerage recycling project.