Article 30 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 30 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس: استخدام المياه
The article prohibits discharging rain water, groundwater, agricultural drainage water and construction site water into the public sewage network except with the approval of the service provision licensee.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر تصريف مياه الأمطار، أو المياه الجوفية، أو مياه المصارف الزراعية، وما في حكمها، أو المياه الناتجة من مواقع الإنشاءات، إلى شبكة الصرف العامة، إلا بموافقة المرخص له بنشاط تقديم الخدمة؛ وفقاً للاشتراطات التي تحددها الهيئة في رخصته.
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 30 explained in plain English
This article protects the public sewage network from being loaded with water it was not designed for. It prohibits discharging the following types into the network:
- Rain water.
- Groundwater.
- Agricultural drainage water and the like.
- Water resulting from construction sites.
The exception: discharge is permitted with the approval of the licensee of the service provision activity, and in accordance with the requirements the Authority sets in its license.
So the rule is prohibition, and permission is an exception limited by two things: the approval of the licensed service provider, and compliance with the requirements the Authority set in that licensee's license.
The practical effect appears especially on building sites: a contractor may not discharge water from the site into the public network on his own. The text does not state a penalty for violation in this article.
It is preceded by Article 29, which requires the owner to connect to the sewage network where available or build a private treatment plant.
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 contracting company is carrying out excavations for a building's foundations in Riyadh, and groundwater has collected on the site. It may not pump this water into the public sewage network except with the approval of the service provision licensee and in accordance with the requirements the Authority sets in its license.
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 30 of the Saudi Water Law
Can rain water be discharged into the sewage network?
Not except with the approval of the licensee of the service provision activity and in accordance with the requirements the Authority sets in its license.
Can construction site water be discharged into the sewers?
Water resulting from construction sites may not be discharged into the public sewage network except with the approval of the licensee of the service provision activity.
Which types may not be discharged into the network?
Rain water, groundwater, agricultural drainage water and the like, and water resulting from construction sites.
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.