Article 34 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 34 من نظام المياه · الفصل السابع: التصرف بحقوق استخدام المياه
The article requires the Ministry, before transferring a source use license from one user to another, to verify there is no higher-priority or more viable request and that the new use fits the strategy and safe yield, and to coordinate with the Authority where needed.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- على الوزارة -قبل نقل رخصة استخدام المصدر من مستخدم إلى آخر- التحقق من عدم وجود طلب آخر أكثر أولوية أو أكثر جدوى من الاستخدام المطلوب النقل إليه، وأن يكون الاستخدام الجديد متناسبًا مع الاستراتيجية والعطاء الآمن للمصدر؛ وفقًا للوائح الوزارة.
2- تقوم الوزارة بالتنسيق مع الهيئة خلال مدة تحددها لوائح الوزارة قبل نقل رخصة استخدام المصدر من مستخدم إلى آخر إذا كان مقاماً على المصدر نشاط تقديم الخدمة مرخص به.
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 34 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of transferring a source use license for a water source from one user to another, and places duties on the Ministry before it approves the transfer.
Paragraph (1): before the transfer, the Ministry must verify two things:
- That there is no other request that is higher in priority or more viable than the use to which transfer is requested.
- That the new use is consistent with the strategy and the safe yield of the source.
This is done in accordance with the Ministry's regulations, which set out the method and details of the verification.
Paragraph (2): if the source has a licensed service provision activity, the Ministry must coordinate with the Authority before the transfer, within a period set by the Ministry's regulations.
In practice this means that an agreement between the license holder and the person to whom it is to be transferred is not enough on its own; the transfer is subject to the Ministry's assessment under these controls. Article 35 also imposes a financial fee on requests to transfer use rights, set by the Ministry or the Authority according to jurisdiction.
Anyone who wishes to transfer a license or obtain one would do well to consult a lawyer who specializes in water laws and administrative cases before concluding any agreement about it.
Practical example
Khalid agreed with another farmer in Qassim that a license to use a water source would be transferred to him. Before the transfer is completed, the Ministry verifies that there is no other request on the source that is higher in priority or viability, and that the new use fits the strategy and the safe yield of the source, under its regulations.
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 34 of the Saudi Water Law
Can a license to use a water source be transferred to another person?
Article 34 deals with transferring the license from one user to another, and requires that the Ministry first verify there is no higher-priority or more viable request and that the new use fits the strategy and the safe yield of the source.
When does the Ministry coordinate with the Authority on transferring a license?
If the source has a licensed service provision activity, within a period set by the Ministry's regulations.
Is a fee paid on a request to transfer a license?
Article 35 provides that the Ministry or the Authority, according to jurisdiction, imposes a financial fee on requests to transfer use rights.
More articles on Transfer and Export of Water Use Rights
- Article 11
The article provides that licenses to use well water sources do not pass with the transfer of ownership of the land containing the source except with the Ministry's approval.
لا تنتقل تراخيص استخدام مصادر مياه الآبار تبعًا لنقل ملكية الأرض المشتملة على المصدر إلا بعد موافقة الوزارة.
- Article 35
The article authorizes the Ministry or the Authority, each within its jurisdiction, to impose a financial charge on licenses and on applications to transfer water use rights.
تفرض الوزارة أو الهيئة -بحسب الاختصاص- مقابلاً ماليًا على الرخص وطلبات نقل حقوق الاستخدام.
- Article 36
The article prohibits importing or exporting unbottled water except by a decision of the Council of Ministers, and tasks the Ministry with identifying the water-consuming agricultural and animal products whose export is banned.
1- لا يجوز استيراد المياه غير المعبأة، أو تصديرها إلا بقرار من مجلس الوزراء. 2- تحدد الوزارة -بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة- المنتجات الزراعية والحيوانية ومشتق
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.