Article 19 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 19 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس: استخدام المياه
The article requires the Ministry to take the necessary measures to prevent the use of water sources that have become unsuitable for use, including stopping the issuance of the source license or cancelling it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تتخذ الوزارة الإجراءات والتدابير اللازمة لمنع استخدام مصادر المياه التي أصبحت غير صالحة للاستخدام، بما في ذلك إيقاف إصدار رخصة استخدام المصدر، أو إلغائها.
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 19 explained in plain English
This article places on the Ministry a duty to prevent the use of water sources that have become unsuitable for use.
The means: the Ministry takes the necessary measures and steps, including:
- stopping the issuance of the source use license.
- cancelling the source use license.
The phrase "including" indicates that these two means are not the only ones; the Ministry may take other necessary measures, which the text does not list.
The rule depends on the source having become unsuitable for use. This article does not state the criterion for unsuitability or the procedures for establishing it.
The difference between this article and Article 18 is that Article 18 gives the Minister a discretionary power to suspend licenses or reduce their quantities for reasons such as scarcity, water security and public health, while this article places a duty on the Ministry ("takes") regarding unsuitable sources.
It is followed by Article 20, which gives Ministry inspectors the right to enter sites and facilities, including special zones, to verify that water is obtained lawfully and that its sources are sound.
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
The Ministry found that the water of a well in one of the governorates had become unsuitable for use. The Ministry must take the necessary measures to prevent its use, including cancelling the license to use this source.
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 19 of the Saudi Water Law
What happens to the license of a well whose water has become unsuitable?
The Ministry takes the necessary measures to prevent use of the source, including stopping the issuance of its use license or cancelling it.
Is the Ministry required to prevent use of unsuitable sources?
Yes. The text requires it to take the necessary measures and steps for that.
Are the Ministry's measures limited to cancelling the license?
No. The text mentions stopping issuance and cancellation among the necessary measures without limiting them to those.
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 16
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.
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
- 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.
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.