In March 2016, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported that Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) had contracted Muscat Water for temporary reverse osmosis plants. An 8,000 m³/day unit in Quriyat was to run until late June 2016, and a 10,000 m³/day unit in Aseela, South A'Sharqiyah, until late July. Muscat Water was to design, build, own and run the plants, with OPWP buying the water. Per the Public Authority for Electricity and Water, they were to bridge shortages until a Sur expansion was finished.
The report showed Oman bridging short-term water shortages with temporary plants and offtake contracts until larger capacity became available. Both units were small, at 8,000 and 10,000 m³/day, and planned to run for only a few months.