Article 53 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 53 من نظام المياه · الفصل الحادي عشر: البنى الأساسية للمياه وكشف التسربات
Article 53 places everything relating to water infrastructure used in service-provision activities, including sale or otherwise, under the Authority's supervision, whoever owns it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يخضع جميع ما يتعلق بالبنى الأساسية للمياه المستخدمة في أنشطة تقديم الخدمة من بيع أو غيره -سواء المملوكة للقطاع العام أو الخاص أو شراكة بين القطاعين- لإشراف الهيئة؛ وفق أحكام النظام ولوائح 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 53 explained in plain English
This article defines the scope of the Authority's supervision over water infrastructure used in service-provision activities. Under Article 1, infrastructure means facilities used to produce, harvest, transport, distribute, store or monitor water, and does not include desalination, treatment and purification plants.
What is subject to supervision? "Everything relating" to this infrastructure, including sale or otherwise. The text is broad and is not limited to sale.
Whoever the owner is: the provision applies to infrastructure that is:
- Owned by the public sector.
- Owned by the private sector.
- Owned jointly by the two sectors.
Supervision takes place in accordance with the provisions of the Law and the Authority's regulations; the article does not detail the forms or procedures of supervision.
The article follows Article 52, which treats infrastructure needed for service-provision activities that is built by the public sector as state property and allows the Authority to license its use. It is also consistent with Article 48, which prevents the licensee from disposing of licensed assets without the Authority's written permission.
In practical terms, anyone dealing in water infrastructure used to provide service, even if privately owned, must take the Authority's supervision into account. The parties to any such transaction would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in water law, commercial matters and companies.
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 53 of the Saudi Water Law
Are private water networks subject to the Authority's supervision?
Yes, if they are infrastructure used in service-provision activities. Article 53 covers infrastructure owned by the public sector, the private sector or both together.
Is the sale of water infrastructure subject to the Authority's supervision?
Yes. The article provides that everything relating to this infrastructure, including sale or otherwise, is subject to the Authority's supervision in accordance with the Law and its regulations.
More articles on Water Service Licenses and Infrastructure
- Article 17
The article bars the relevant bodies from issuing licenses or approvals for any facility that may obstruct the use of surface water except with the Ministry's prior approval.
على الجهات المعنية عدم إصدار رخص أو موافقات على إقامة أيّ منشأة قد تعوق استخدام المياه السطحية إلا بموافقة مسبقة من الوزارة.
- Article 47
The article makes issuing, renewing and amending licenses, exemptions and permits for service provision activities the Authority's responsibility, and bans carrying out any of these activities without a license except those exempted by the Authority's regulations.
1- تتولى الهيئة إصدار الرخص، والإعفاءات، والتصاريح اللازمة لمزاولة أي نشاط من أنشطة تقديم الخدمة، أو الإعداد لمزاولته، وتجديدها، وتعديلها. 2- فيما عدا الأنشطة ا
- Article 48
The article prohibits a licensee for a service provision activity from assigning its license or disposing of the licensed assets in any way before obtaining the Authority's written permission, without affecting the performance of the activity.
لا يجوز للمرخَّص له بنشاط تقديم الخدمة -قبل الحصول على إذن مكتوب من الهيئة- التنازل عن رخصته، أو التصرف في الأصول المرخَّص لها، سواءً بالنقل، أو البيع، أو الرهن
- Article 49
Article 49 requires a service-activity licensee to get the Authority's approval before merging with others or acquiring most of their shares or assets, and to notify the Authority of any preliminary agreement.
يجب على المرخَّص له بنشاط تقديم الخدمة الحصول على موافقة الهيئة قبل الاندماج مع أشخاص آخرين، أو امتلاك معظم حصصهم، أو موجوداتهم، ويجب عليه إشعار الهيئة بأي اتفا
- Article 50
Article 50 requires the Authority, in coordination with the Ministry, to make the necessary arrangements to ensure service continues if a service-activity licensee is unable to carry out its activity for any reason.
إذا تعذر على المرخَّص له بنشاط تقديم الخدمة القيام بنشاطه المرخَّص له به لأي سبب، فعلى الهيئة -وبالتنسيق مع الوزارة- اتخاذ الترتيبات اللازمة؛ لضمان استمرار تقدي
- Article 51
Article 51 gives the Authority's inspectors the right to enter sites and facilities licensed by the Authority to check compliance with the Law, and allows the Authority to coordinate with the competent bodies if they are prevented or obstructed.
1- لمفتشي الهيئة الحق في دخول المواقع والمنشآت المرخَّص لها من قبل الهيئة؛ للتأكد من مدى الالتزام بتطبيق أحكام النظام. 2- في حال منع أو إعاقة مفتشي الهيئة عن تأ
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.