Article 6 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 6 من نظام المياه · الفصل الثالث: المهمات والمسؤوليات
The article requires the Ministry and the Authority to give the private sector the information it needs for water investment, and requires bodies and licensees to give them information, samples and documents.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- على الوزارة والهيئة -كلٌّ فيما يخصه- تزويد مؤسسات القطاع الخاص بالمعلومات التي تمكنهم من اتخاذ قراراتهم، وإعداد دراسات الجدوى الخاصة بالاستثمار في أنشطة استخدام مصادر المياه، وتنميتها، أو أنشطة تقديم الخدمة، أو في الأنشطة والمشاريع المائية الأخرى.
2- يجب على جميع الجهات الحكومية والخاصة ومراكز الأبحاث والأفراد المرخَّص لهم؛ تزويد الوزارة والهيئة بالمعلومات والعينات والوثائق اللازمة؛ للقيام بمهماتهما بموجب أحكام النظام.
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 6 explained in plain English
This article regulates the exchange of information in the water sector in two directions:
First: from the official bodies to the private sector. The Ministry and the Authority, each within its own scope, must provide private sector institutions with:
- The information that enables them to make their decisions.
- The preparation of feasibility studies for investment in activities of using and developing water sources, service provision activities, or other water activities and projects.
Second: from bodies and individuals to the Ministry and the Authority. All government and private bodies, research centers and licensed individuals must provide the Ministry and the Authority with the information, samples and documents they need to carry out their tasks under the law.
Note that the second obligation covers government and private bodies and research centers, while for individuals the text refers to "licensed individuals". The phrase "each within its own scope" means that each body provides the private sector with what falls within its competence. The article does not set out procedures or time limits for providing these things.
It is preceded by Article 5, on the Authority's tasks in service provision activities, and followed by Article 7, which defines water sources as surface water and renewable and non-renewable groundwater.
Practical example
A Saudi company is studying an investment in a water treatment project. The Ministry and the Authority, each within its own scope, must provide it with the information that enables it to make its decision. In return, if the company becomes a licensee, it must provide the Ministry and the Authority with the information, samples and documents they need for their tasks.
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 6 of the Saudi Water Law
Does the water ministry provide information to investors?
Yes. The Ministry and the Authority, each within its own scope, must provide private sector institutions with the information that enables them to make their decisions and with feasibility studies for investment.
Must a licensee provide information to the Ministry?
Yes. Licensed individuals and government and private bodies and research centers must provide the Ministry and the Authority with the information, samples and documents they need.
Does the article cover research centers?
Yes. The text requires research centers to provide the Ministry and the Authority with what they need for their tasks.
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1- تتولى الوزارة القيام بالآتي: أ- إعداد واعتماد الخطط والبرامج التطويرية لمصادر المياه، وإمداداتها، واستخداماتها، ومعالجتها (على المدى القصير والمتوسط والبعيد)
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1- تتولى الهيئة فيما يتعلق بأنشطة تقديم الخدمة -بالإضافة إلى المهمات المنصوص عليها في تنظيمها- الآتي: أ- اعتماد الخطط التنفيذية التي يعدها المرخَّص لهم بتقديم ا
- Article 42
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.
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
- Article 43
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تتولى الوزارة -بشكل دوري- تقدير كميات المياه المتوافرة في مصادر المياه، وقياس حجم السحب منها، والمياه المخزنة، وجودتها، ومعدلات استنزافها، ومعالجتها، وعلى الجها
- Article 52
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1- تقوم الوزارة أو من تفوضه في حال عدم وجود مرخَّص له في المناطق الواقعة خارج نطاق اختصاص الأمانات والبلديات والمناطق الخاصة؛ بإنشاء بنى أساسية، وشبكات، وأنظمة
- Article 61
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تقوم الوزارة بإصدار مقاييس حماية مصادر المياه والبيئة من التلوث ومعاييرها ومتطلباتها، وتحديثها.
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.