Article 16 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 16 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس: استخدام المياه
The article requires water allocated for agriculture to be used under the national strategies set by the Minister, and requires a license for agricultural water supply activities and the Ministry's principal buyer activities.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تستخدم المياه المخصصة للأغراض الزراعية، وفقًا للاستراتيجيات الوطنية المعتمدة للوزارة التي تُحدد بقرار من الوزير.
2- لا يجوز القيام بأي من الأعمال أو الأنشطة الآتي ذكرها، أو الإعداد للقيام بها إلا بعد الحصول على الرخصة اللازمة؛ وفقًا للمقابل المالي للرخصة الذي تحدده اللجنة الوزارية والاشتراطات التي تحددها الوزارة:
أ- أنشطة إمدادات المياه للأغراض الزراعية.
ب-أنشطة المشتري الرئيس الخاضعة لاختصاص الوزارة بموجب النظام.
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 16 explained in plain English
This article contains two provisions:
First: use of agricultural water (paragraph 1). Water allocated for agricultural purposes is used in accordance with the Ministry's approved national strategies, which are set by decision of the Minister. The text does not state the content of these strategies.
Second: the license (paragraph 2). None of the following activities may be carried out, or prepared for, except after obtaining the necessary license:
- Water supply activities for agricultural purposes, which under Article 1 are pumping water for agricultural use from groundwater sources, dams or desalinated, purified or treated water, transporting it to distribution points, distributing it, storing it strategically, and collecting and transporting agricultural wastewater.
- Principal buyer activities within the Ministry's competence under the law.
The license is in accordance with the financial fee set by the Ministerial Committee and the requirements set by the Ministry.
It is preceded by Article 15, which makes the allocation of water quantities for development purposes a decision of the Ministerial Committee. It is followed by Article 17, which bars the relevant bodies from licensing any facility that may obstruct the use of surface water except with the Ministry's prior 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
A company wants to set up a project to transport treated water and distribute it to farms in the Qassim region. This is an agricultural water supply activity, so it may not carry it out or prepare for it before obtaining the necessary license, with the set financial fee and requirements.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 16 of the Saudi Water Law
Do I need a license to distribute water to farms?
Yes. Water supply activities for agricultural purposes may not be carried out or prepared for except after obtaining the necessary license.
How is water allocated for agriculture used?
In accordance with the Ministry's approved national strategies, which are set by decision of the Minister.
Who sets the financial fee for an agricultural supply license?
The Ministerial Committee, while the Ministry sets the requirements.
More articles on Water Use Priorities and Allocation
- Article 12
The article ranks the priorities for water use and allocation: basic human needs, then watering animals, then agricultural, urban and industrial demand and the environmental minimum, as decided by the Ministerial Committee.
يكون استخدام المياه وتخصيصها وفقًا للأولويات الآتية على الترتيب: 1- الاحتياجات البشرية الأساسية. 2- سقيا الحيوانات. 3- الطلب الزراعي والعمراني والصناعي، والحد ا
- Article 13
The article requires government bodies and the private sector to coordinate with the Ministry on water needs when preparing national and development plans.
تلتزم الجهات الحكومية والقطاع الخاص -عند إعداد الخطط الوطنية والتنموية- بالتنسيق مع الوزارة فيما يتعلق بالاحتياجات المائية اللازمة لتلك الخطط.
- Article 14
The article requires public and private bodies to inform the Ministry of any indicator or change they detect in the water sources belonging to them, and requires the Ministry to follow it up.
على جميع الجهات العامة والخاصة موافاة الوزارة بأي مؤشر أو تغير ترصده في أي مصدر من مصادر المياه التابعة لها، وعلى الوزارة متابعة ذلك.
- Article 15
The article makes the allocation of water quantities for development purposes a decision of the Ministerial Committee on the Ministry's proposal, based on aquifer characteristics and the annual flow of valleys.
تُخصص كميات الاستخدام من المياه للأغراض التنموية بقرار من اللجنة الوزارية -بناءً على اقتراح الوزارة- اعتمادًا على خصائص الطبقات الحاملة للمياه، ومعدل الجريان ال
- Article 17
The article bars the relevant bodies from issuing licenses or approvals for any facility that may obstruct the use of surface water except with the Ministry's prior approval.
على الجهات المعنية عدم إصدار رخص أو موافقات على إقامة أيّ منشأة قد تعوق استخدام المياه السطحية إلا بموافقة مسبقة من الوزارة.
- Article 18
The article gives the Minister the right to suspend any source use license or reduce its quantities because of water scarcity or shortage, or water, environmental or public health security, except what the Ministerial Committee excludes.
للوزير -فيما عدا ما تستثنيه اللجنة الوزارية- الحق في إيقاف أي رخصة استخدام مصدر، أو تخفيض الكميات المحددة فيها لأسباب شح المياه، أو نقصها، أو لأي سبب متعلق بالأ
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.