Article 42 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 42 من نظام المياه · الفصل الثامن: ترشيد الاستخدام
The article requires the Ministry and the Authority, each within its jurisdiction, to subject all water uses to measurement and monitoring and to verify its effectiveness, directly or through licensees.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على الوزارة والهيئة -كلٌ فيما يخصه- إخضاع جميع استخدامات المياه للقياس والمراقبة وفق أحكام النظام، والتأكد من تنفيذ ذلك بفاعلية إما مباشرة، أو عن طريق المرخَّص لهم.
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 42 explained in plain English
This article sets the principle that every use of water must be measured and monitored. It places this obligation on two bodies:
- The Ministry, which according to Article 1 is the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
- The Authority.
Each does so within its own jurisdiction, that is, within the uses and activities that fall within its competence under the Law.
The duty is not limited to subjecting uses to measurement, but also includes making sure this is carried out effectively. The article permits two ways of doing it:
- The body carries out the measurement and monitoring directly.
- It is done through licensees.
This is done in accordance with the provisions of the Law. The article does not specify particular means of measurement or monitoring.
This article corresponds to paragraph (2) of Article 41, which requires water users to keep to the licensed quantities and to allow the relevant bodies to carry out measurement and monitoring. Article 42 addresses the competent bodies with the duty to measure, and Article 41 addresses the user with the duty to allow it. It also connects with Article 43, which tasks the Ministry with periodically estimating the available quantities of water and measuring the volume drawn from them.
Anyone with an objection to the measurement of his consumption or to the monitoring procedures can consult a lawyer who specializes in water regulations and administrative cases.
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 42 of the Saudi Water Law
Who is responsible for measuring water consumption?
The Ministry and the Authority, each within its jurisdiction, under Article 42, and this may be done directly or through licensees.
Are all water uses subject to measurement?
Yes. The article provides that all water uses are subject to measurement and monitoring in accordance with the provisions of the Law.
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- Article 10
The article gives the Ministry the right to impose meters on wells in non-renewable aquifers to monitor consumption under the water allowances, and lets the Ministerial Committee consider imposing a fee when the allowance is exceeded.
للوزارة الحق في فرض تركيب عدادات؛ لقياس تدفق المياه من الآبار الواقعة في الطبقات الحاملة للمياه غير المتجددة؛ لمراقبة وتنظيم كمية استهلاك وترشيد استخدامها؛ وفقً
- Article 37
The article assigns the regulation and management of water-use rationing to the Ministry or its delegate, and requires licensees, consumers and beneficiaries to comply with rationing and use its tools and equipment.
تتولى الوزارة أو من تفوضه تنظيم عملية ترشيد استخدام المياه، وإدارتها. وعلى جميع المرخّص لهم والمستهلكين والمستفيدين الالتزام بعمليات الترشيد، واستخدام أدوات ترش
- Article 38
The article requires government and private sectors to use water-saving sanitary ware and plumbing materials that meet the specifications, and to make use of gray water and recycle it under the Ministry's regulations.
يجب على جميع القطاعات الحكومية والخاصة استخدامُ الأدوات الصحية ومواد السباكة المرشِّدة والمطابقة للوائح الفنية والمواصفات القياسية المعتمدة، والاستفادة من الميا
- Article 39
The article requires government bodies and service provision licensees to adopt the principle of water rationalization as a theme of their awareness, education and marketing programs, as the Ministry's regulations set out.
تقوم الجهات الحكومية والمرخص لهم بتقديم الخدمة باعتماد مبدأ "ترشيد استخدام المياه" من ضمن محاور برامجهم التوعوية، والتثقيفية، والتسويقية، وذلك وفق ما تبينه لوائ
- Article 40
The article requires water-saving irrigation systems when irrigating in urban or agricultural activities, as determined by the Ministry's regulations.
عند استخدام المياه لأغراض الري في الأنشطة الحضرية أو الزراعية، يجب استخدام أنظمة مرشدة لاستهلاك المياه، وفقًا لما تحدده لوائح الوزارة.
- Article 41
The article sets four obligations on water users: rationing and not wasting, keeping to licensed uses and quantities and allowing measurement, preserving sources, and paying what is imposed.
على مستخدمي المياه الالتزام بالآتي: 1- ترشيد استخدام المياه، وعدم هدرها، وعدم الإسراف في استخدامها، واستخدام الأدوات والأجهزة والأنظمة المُرَشِّدة والمطابقة للم
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.