Article 22 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 22 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس: استخدام المياه
The article gives the Ministry's inspector the right to enter farms that use treated water to monitor and take samples, to verify that the water, products and crops are free of pollutants, and addresses the case where he is prevented or obstructed.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لمفتش الوزارة حق دخول المزارع التي تستخدم المياه المعالجة؛ لغرض المراقبة والتفتيش، والتحقق من التقيد بشروط الرخصة، وذلك بالتنسيق مع الجهات الحكومية المعنية، وأخذ القياسات والعينات؛ للتأكد من خلوِّ المياه المعالجة والمنتجات والمزروعات المروية بها من الملوثات، وسلامتها من أي ضرر أو خطورة على الصحة أو البيئة.
2- في حال منع أو 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 22 explained in plain English
This article regulates oversight of farms that use treated water:
First: the right of entry and inspection (paragraph 1). The Ministry's inspector has the right to enter farms that use treated water, in coordination with the relevant government bodies, in order to:
- carry out monitoring and inspection.
- verify compliance with the license conditions.
- take measurements and samples to make sure that:
- the treated water and the products and crops irrigated with it are free of pollutants.
- they are free of any harm or danger to health or the environment.
Oversight here is not limited to the water but extends to the products and crops themselves.
Second: when prevented or obstructed (paragraph 2). If the inspectors are prevented or obstructed, the Ministry may coordinate with the competent bodies to take the necessary measures to complete the entry.
This article ties in with Article 21, which prohibits using treated wastewater except in accordance with the approved standards and the priorities of use approved by the Ministry. It is followed by Article 23, which permits the use of tertiary-treated water except for drinking, household uses and food industries.
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 farmer in the Riyadh region irrigates palm trees with treated water. The Ministry's inspector has the right to enter his farm, in coordination with the relevant bodies, and take samples of the water and the dates to make sure they are free of pollutants and safe for health and the environment.
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 22 of the Saudi Water Law
Can a Ministry inspector take samples from my farm's crop?
Yes. If the farm uses treated water, he may take measurements and samples from the water and from the products and crops irrigated with it.
What is the purpose of inspecting farms irrigated with treated water?
To verify compliance with the license conditions and make sure that the water and products are free of pollutants and safe for health and the environment.
What if the inspector is prevented from entering the farm?
The Ministry may coordinate with the competent bodies to take the necessary measures to complete the entry.
More articles on Wastewater and Treated Water
- Article 21
The article prohibits using wastewater outright, restricts the use and discharge of treated wastewater to the approved standards, and requires a service provision license to transport, collect and dispose of wastewater.
1- يُحظر استخدام مياه الصرف في جميع الأحوال والأغراض. 2- يُحظر استخدام مياه الصرف المعالجة لأي غرض، أو نشاط، أو تصريفها؛ إلا وفقًا للمعايير المعتمدة، وأولويات ا
- Article 23
The article permits using tertiary-treated water after confirming it is safe and free of pollutants, except for drinking, household uses and food industries, under the Ministry's regulations.
ما عدا الشرب والاستخدامات المنزلية والصناعات الغذائية، يُسمح باستخدام المياه المعالجة ثلاثيًا بعد التأكد من سلامتها، وخلوها من الملوثات، ومواءمتها، وفق الضوابط
- Article 24
The article requires an agricultural irrigation system to include an integrated drainage system that collects excess irrigation water and disposes of it safely, to protect water sources from pollution.
يجب أن تشتمل منظومة الري الزراعي على نظام صرف متكامل لتجميع مياه الري الزائدة، والتخلص منها بطريقة آمنة؛ للمحافظة على مصادر المياه من التلوث، وفقًا لما تحدده لو
- Article 25
The article permits using secondary-treated water in restricted agricultural irrigation, industry, mining, construction work and the like, after confirming it is safe and under the Ministry's regulations.
يسمح باستخدام المياه المعالجة ثنائيًا في الري الزراعي المقيد، والصناعة، والتعدين، والأعمال الإنشائية، ونحوها من الأنشطة والأعمال؛ بعد التأكد من سلامتها، وخلوِّه
- Article 26
The article requires all government and private bodies to coordinate with the service provision licensee before connecting sewage to the networks or collecting it by tanker and discharging it at the treatment plant.
على جميع الجهات الحكومية والخاصة التنسيق مع المرخّص له بنشاط تقديم الخدمة قبل ربط مياه الصرف الصحي بشبكات الصرف، أو تجميع مياه الصرف الصحي بوساطة الصهاريج، وتفر
- Article 27
The article makes the use of sludge subject to the controls and standards issued by the Ministry to protect public health and the environment.
يخضع استخدام الحمأة للضوابط والمعايير اللازمة لحماية الصحة العامة والبيئة التي تصدرها 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.