Article 56 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 56 من نظام المياه · الفصل الحادي عشر: البنى الأساسية للمياه وكشف التسربات
Article 56 prohibits work or digging within the boundaries or protective zones of infrastructure and water plants without coordinating with the licensee or owners, and within those of wells and dams without coordinating with the Ministry.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يُحظر القيامُ بأي عمل أو حفر داخل حدود البنى الأساسية، أو محطات التحلية، أو التنقية، أو المعالجة، أو حُرمها التي تحددها لوائح الوزارة أو الهيئة إلا بعد التنسيق مع المرخَّص له، أو ملاكها، واتخاذ التدابير اللازمة؛ لحمايتها.
2- يُحظر القيام بأي عمل أو حفر في داخل حدود الآبار والسدود أو في حرمها إلا بعد التنسيق مع 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 56 explained in plain English
This article protects water facilities from damage that work and excavation may cause, and distinguishes between two types of sites:
Paragraph (1): infrastructure and plants. It is prohibited to carry out any work or digging within the boundaries of:
- Infrastructure.
- Desalination, purification or treatment plants.
- Or their protective zones, meaning the surrounding area that is specified by the regulations of the Ministry or the Authority.
The prohibition is lifted only when two conditions are met together: coordination with the licensee or the owners, and taking the necessary measures to protect them.
Paragraph (2): wells and dams. It is prohibited to carry out any work or digging within the boundaries of wells and dams or in their protective zones except after coordinating with the Ministry.
The difference between the two paragraphs is the party to coordinate with: the licensee or owner in the first paragraph, and the Ministry in the second. The article does not itself set the size of the protective zone; in the first paragraph it refers to the regulations of the Ministry or the Authority to specify it.
The article complements paragraph (2) of Article 55, which requires government and private bodies to coordinate with the Ministry to avoid any work that threatens the safety of infrastructure or causes it to be damaged or contaminated.
A contractor or landowner intending to dig near water facilities should check the boundaries of the protective zone before starting. If a dispute arises, a lawyer specializing in water law and administrative matters can be consulted.
Practical example
Majed wants to build a warehouse on land in Al-Kharj near a dam. Before any digging within the dam's boundaries or its protective zone, paragraph (2) requires him to coordinate with the Ministry.
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 56 of the Saudi Water Law
Is it permitted to dig near a desalination plant?
Any work or digging is prohibited within the boundaries of desalination plants or their protective zones, as specified by the regulations of the Ministry or the Authority, except after coordinating with the licensee or owners and taking the necessary measures to protect them.
Who do I coordinate with before digging near a well or dam?
With the Ministry, under paragraph (2) of Article 56.
Who determines the protective zone of infrastructure and plants?
Paragraph (1) refers to the regulations of the Ministry or the Authority.
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.