Article 10 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 10 من نظام المياه · الفصل الرابع: مصادر الياه وملكيتها
The article gives the Ministry the right to impose meters on wells in non-renewable aquifers to monitor consumption under the water allowances, and lets the Ministerial Committee consider imposing a fee when the allowance is exceeded.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للوزارة الحق في فرض تركيب عدادات؛ لقياس تدفق المياه من الآبار الواقعة في الطبقات الحاملة للمياه غير المتجددة؛ لمراقبة وتنظيم كمية استهلاك وترشيد استخدامها؛ وفقًا للمقننات المائية، وللجنة الوزارية النظر في فرض مقابل مالي إذا زاد عن المقنن المائي.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 10 explained in plain English
This article contains two powers:
First: imposing meters (the Ministry). The Ministry has the right to require the installation of meters to measure the flow of water:
- from wells located in non-renewable water-bearing layers specifically.
- for the purpose of monitoring and regulating the amount of consumption and rationalizing use.
- in accordance with the water allowances; under Article 1, the water allowance is the quantity of water set according to the needs of different crops.
Second: a fee when the allowance is exceeded (the Ministerial Committee). The Ministerial Committee may consider imposing a financial fee if consumption exceeds the water allowance. The wording "consider imposing" means that the fee is not imposed by the text of the law itself, but the Committee may decide it, and the text does not state its amount.
The text limits the right to impose meters to wells in non-renewable layers, and this article does not deal with any others.
It is preceded by Article 9, which requires a license to use any water source other than seawater, and followed by Article 11, which provides that well water licenses do not pass with the transfer of ownership of land except with the Ministry's approval.
To assess the effect of this rule on a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in water and environmental laws.
Practical example
Salem owns a farm in Wadi al-Dawasir that is irrigated from a well in a non-renewable aquifer. The Ministry has the right to require him to install a meter on the well to measure the flow. If his consumption exceeds the water allowance for his crops, the Ministerial Committee may consider imposing a fee on him.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 10 of the Saudi Water Law
Must a meter be installed on my well?
The Ministry has the right to require the installation of meters on wells located in non-renewable water-bearing layers.
Is a fee paid when the water allowance is exceeded?
The Ministerial Committee may consider imposing a financial fee if consumption exceeds the water allowance.
What is the water allowance?
The quantity of water set according to the needs of different crops.
More articles on Ownership of Water Sources and Use Licenses
- Article 7
The article provides that water sources are surface water and renewable and non-renewable groundwater.
تشمل مصادرُ المياه ما يأتي: 1- المياه السطحية. 2- المياه الجوفية المتجددة، وغير المتجددة.
- Article 8
The article provides that water sources are public property to be benefited from in accordance with the Water Law and other laws, without prejudice to rights established by Sharia.
دون إخلال بالحقوق المُقررة شرعًا، تُعد مصادر المياه ملكًا عامًا، يتم الانتفاع بها طبقًا لأحكام النظام والأنظمة الأخرى.
- Article 9
The article bars using or developing any water source other than seawater, or preparing for either, without a license, and requires the Ministry's prior approval for the site of any desalination plant.
1- فيما عدا مياه البحر، لا يجوز لأي شخص استخدام أي مصدر مائي، أو تنميته، أو الإعداد لذلك إلا بعد الحصول على الرخصة اللازمة؛ وفقًا للمقابل المالي للرخصة الذي تحد
- Article 11
The article provides that licenses to use well water sources do not pass with the transfer of ownership of the land containing the source except with the Ministry's approval.
لا تنتقل تراخيص استخدام مصادر مياه الآبار تبعًا لنقل ملكية الأرض المشتملة على المصدر إلا بعد موافقة الوزارة.
- Article 34
The article requires the Ministry, before transferring a source use license from one user to another, to verify there is no higher-priority or more viable request and that the new use fits the strategy and safe yield, and to coordinate with the Authority where needed.
1- على الوزارة -قبل نقل رخصة استخدام المصدر من مستخدم إلى آخر- التحقق من عدم وجود طلب آخر أكثر أولوية أو أكثر جدوى من الاستخدام المطلوب النقل إليه، وأن يكون الا
- Article 35
The article authorizes the Ministry or the Authority, each within its jurisdiction, to impose a financial charge on licenses and on applications to transfer water use rights.
تفرض الوزارة أو الهيئة -بحسب الاختصاص- مقابلاً ماليًا على الرخص وطلبات نقل حقوق الاستخدام.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.