Article 20 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 20 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس: استخدام المياه
The article gives Ministry inspectors the right to enter sites and facilities, including special zones, to verify lawful use of water and the soundness of its sources, and addresses the case where they are obstructed.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لمفتشي الوزارة الحق في دخول المواقع والمنشآت بما فيها المناطق الخاصة وفق اختصاصها؛ وذلك للتأكد من نظامية الحصول على المياه واستخداماتها، وسلامة مصادرها، ومدى التقيد بشروط الرخصة، والالتزام بتطبيق أحكام النظام، وذلك بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة.
2- في حال إعاقة مفتشي الوزارة عن تأدية أعمالهم، فللوزارة التنسيق مع الجهات المختصة لاتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة؛ لإتمام عملية الدخول.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article regulates the entry powers of the Ministry's inspectors:
First: the right of entry (paragraph 1). The Ministry's inspectors have the right to enter sites and facilities, including special zones, within the Ministry's competence, in order to verify:
- that obtaining water and its uses is lawful.
- the soundness of its sources.
- the extent of compliance with the license conditions.
- compliance with the provisions of the law.
This is done in coordination with the competent bodies.
Second: when obstructed (paragraph 2). If the inspectors are obstructed in carrying out their work, the Ministry may coordinate with the competent bodies to take the necessary measures to complete the entry. The text does not specify these measures, and this article does not state a penalty for obstructing the inspectors.
It is preceded by Article 19, which requires the Ministry to prevent the use of unsuitable water sources. It is followed by Article 21, which prohibits using wastewater, restricts the use of treated wastewater to the approved standards, and requires a service provision license for transporting and collecting wastewater.
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
An inspector from the Ministry came to a farm in Al-Ahsa to verify that its owner was complying with the conditions of the well license. He has the right to enter for that purpose in coordination with the competent bodies, and if he is denied entry, the Ministry may coordinate with the competent bodies to complete the entry.
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 20 of the Saudi Water Law
Does a Ministry of Environment inspector have the right to enter my farm?
The Ministry's inspectors have the right to enter sites and facilities within its competence to verify lawful obtaining and use of water and compliance with license conditions, in coordination with the competent bodies.
What happens if I prevent the inspector from entering?
The Ministry may coordinate with the competent bodies to take the necessary measures to complete the entry.
Does the right of entry cover special zones?
Yes. The text expressly mentions special zones.
More articles on Water Use Priorities and Allocation
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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.