Article 24 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 24 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس: استخدام المياه
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 لوائح الوزارة.
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 24 explained in plain English
This article places a technical requirement on the agricultural irrigation system:
- The duty: the system must include an integrated drainage system.
- Its function: to collect excess irrigation water and dispose of it safely.
- The purpose: to protect water sources from pollution.
- The details: as specified by the Ministry's regulations.
The practical idea is that excess irrigation water may carry what harms water sources if it is left without collection or safe disposal, which is why the text links agricultural irrigation with protecting sources from pollution.
The text does not state the technical specifications of the drainage system and does not distinguish by farm size or type of irrigation, but refers the details to the Ministry's regulations.
It is preceded by Article 23, which permits the use of tertiary-treated water except for drinking, household uses and food industries. It is followed by Article 25, which permits the use of secondary-treated water in restricted agricultural irrigation, industry, mining, construction work and the like.
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 investor is setting up a large agricultural project in Tabuk with a new irrigation system. The irrigation system must include an integrated drainage system that collects excess irrigation water and disposes of it safely, as the Ministry's regulations specify.
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 24 of the Saudi Water Law
Must a farm have a drainage system for irrigation water?
Yes. An agricultural irrigation system must include an integrated drainage system to collect excess irrigation water and dispose of it safely.
Why is a drainage system required for irrigation?
To protect water sources from pollution.
Where do I find the specifications of the agricultural drainage system?
The article refers them to the Ministry's regulations.
More articles on Protecting Water Sources from Pollution
- 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 19
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.
تتخذ الوزارة الإجراءات والتدابير اللازمة لمنع استخدام مصادر المياه التي أصبحت غير صالحة للاستخدام، بما في ذلك إيقاف إصدار رخصة استخدام المصدر، أو إلغائها.
- Article 31
The article requires oil factories, car wash stations, restaurants, kitchens and similar facilities to provide grease or oil traps, and requires the owner to maintain them and monitor their operation.
يجب أن توفر مصانع الزيوت، ومحطات غسيل السيارات، والمطاعم والمطابخ، وما في حكمها؛ مصايد الدهون أو الزيوت، وعلى المالك صيانتها ومتابعة عملها بما يحقق الغرض منها؛
- Article 45
The article allows the Ministry, or whoever it licenses, to carry out injection when it is safe from the health, environmental and technical standpoints, as determined by the Ministry's regulations.
يجوز للوزارة أو من ترخص له الحقن كلما كان ذلك آمنًا من الناحية الصحية، والبيئية، والتقنية؛ وفقًا لما تحدده لوائح الوزارة.
- Article 55
Article 55 requires the licensee, except in special zones, to prepare water infrastructure plans for the Ministry's approval, and requires government and private bodies to coordinate with the Ministry to avoid threatening the infrastructure's safety.
1- فيما عدا المناطق الخاصة، يقوم المرخَّص له بإعداد مخططات للبنى الأساسية للمياه، وتعتمدها الوزارة. 2- على الجهات الحكومية والخاصة التنسيق مع الوزارة؛ لتفادي ال
- Article 56
Article 56 prohibits work or digging within the boundaries or protective zones of infrastructure and water plants without coordinating with the licensee or owners, and within those of wells and dams without coordinating with the Ministry.
1- يُحظر القيامُ بأي عمل أو حفر داخل حدود البنى الأساسية، أو محطات التحلية، أو التنقية، أو المعالجة، أو حُرمها التي تحددها لوائح الوزارة أو الهيئة إلا بعد التنس
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.