Article 27 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 27 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس: استخدام المياه
The article makes the use of sludge subject to the controls and standards issued by the Ministry to protect public health and the environment.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يخضع استخدام الحمأة للضوابط والمعايير اللازمة لحماية الصحة العامة والبيئة التي تصدرها 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 27 explained in plain English
This article regulates the use of sludge with a single rule: its use is subject to the controls and standards that the Ministry issues, whose purpose is to protect public health and the environment.
In practice this means:
- Using sludge is not prohibited by the text of this article, but it is not free; it is restricted by controls and standards.
- The body that issues these controls and standards is the Ministry (the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture).
- The text does not state these controls or the fields in which use is permitted; for that, refer to what the Ministry issues.
The mention of "protecting public health and the environment" shows that the controls are built on this purpose, and indicates that the legislator regarded the use of sludge as a matter that may affect health and the environment.
It is preceded by Article 26, which requires coordination with the service provision licensee before connecting sewage to the networks or collecting it by tankers. It is followed by Article 28, which makes the issuing of facility licenses, or supplying facilities with water, conditional on a suitable system for disposing of sewage, or a licensed private treatment plant where there is no network.
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 wants to use sludge from a treatment plant to fertilize his land. He may do so only in accordance with the controls and standards issued by the Ministry to protect public 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 27 of the Saudi Water Law
Can sludge be used in agriculture?
The article makes the use of sludge subject to the controls and standards issued by the Ministry to protect public health and the environment.
Who issues the controls for using sludge?
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
What is the purpose of the sludge controls?
Protecting public health and the environment.
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 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
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.