Article 26 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 26 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس: استخدام المياه
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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، وتفريغها في محطة المعالجة -في حال عدم توفر شبكة للصرف للصحي- وفق ما تبينه لوائح الهيئة.
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 26 explained in plain English
This article places a duty of prior coordination in sewage matters:
- Who is bound: all government and private bodies.
- With whom: the licensee of the service provision activity.
- When: before doing either of two things:
- connecting sewage to the sewage networks.
- collecting sewage by tankers and discharging it at the treatment plant, where there is no sewage network.
- The details: as the Authority's regulations set out.
So connecting to the network or discharging at the treatment plant is not done on a body's own decision, but after coordination with the licensed service provider. Under Article 1, the service provision activity includes collecting, transporting and treating sewage.
The text does not set out the coordination procedures, but refers them to the Authority's regulations.
It is preceded by Article 25, on the uses of secondary-treated water. It is followed by Article 27, which makes the use of sludge subject to the controls and standards issued by the Ministry to protect public health and the environment.
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 real estate development company finished building a commercial complex in Makkah and wants to connect its sewage to the public network. Before connecting, it must coordinate with the licensee of the service provision activity, as the Authority's regulations set out.
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 26 of the Saudi Water Law
Can sewage be connected directly to the network?
Government and private bodies must coordinate with the licensee of the service provision activity before connecting sewage to the sewage networks.
What if there is no sewage network?
Sewage is collected by tankers and discharged at the treatment plant, after coordination with the licensee of the service provision activity.
Where do I find the coordination procedures?
The article refers them to the Authority's regulations.
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 22
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.
1- لمفتش الوزارة حق دخول المزارع التي تستخدم المياه المعالجة؛ لغرض المراقبة والتفتيش، والتحقق من التقيد بشروط الرخصة، وذلك بالتنسيق مع الجهات الحكومية المعنية،
- 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 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.