Article 60 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 60 من نظام المياه · الفصل الثالث عشر: الحماية الصحية والبيئية للمياه
Article 60 allocates the task of monitoring water quality: the Ministry for agricultural water standards, and the Authority for water quality in the activities of service-provision licensees, with bottled drinking water excluded.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تراقب الوزارة الالتزام بمعايير نوعية المياه المستخدمة في الأغراض الزراعية.
2- تراقب الهيئة نوعية المياه في أنشطة المرخص له بأنشطة تقديم الخدمة، ويشمل ذلك نوعية المياه في أنظمة الإنتاج، والنقل، والتوزيع، والتخزين، والتأكد من مطابقتها للمعايير والمواصفات المعتمدة من الوزارة.
3- لا يشمل ما ورد في الفقرتين (1) و(2) من هذه المادة مياه الشرب المعبأة.
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 60 explained in plain English
This article specifies the body responsible for monitoring water quality according to the type of use:
Paragraph (1): agricultural water. The Ministry monitors compliance with the standards for the quality of water used for agricultural purposes.
Paragraph (2): water in service-provision activities. The Authority monitors water quality in the activities of the service-provision licensee, including the quality of water in:
- Production systems.
- Transport systems.
- Distribution systems.
- Storage systems.
The Authority verifies its conformity with the standards and specifications approved by the Ministry. The Ministry approves the standards, and the Authority monitors compliance with them in these activities.
Paragraph (3): the exception. What is stated in paragraphs (1) and (2) does not include bottled drinking water. This is consistent with the definition of service-provision activity in Article 1, which does not include the activity of filling water into containers. This article does not say which body monitors bottled water.
It is followed by Article 61, which tasks the Ministry with issuing, and updating, the standards, criteria and requirements for protecting water sources and the environment from pollution.
Someone with a complaint about the quality of water reaching them from a licensed service provider may approach the Authority, or consult a lawyer specializing in water law and administrative matters if they have suffered harm.
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 60 of the Saudi Water Law
Who monitors the quality of network water in Saudi Arabia?
The Authority monitors water quality in the activities of service-provision licensees, including production, transport, distribution and storage systems, under paragraph (2) of Article 60.
Who monitors the standards for agricultural irrigation water?
The Ministry, under paragraph (1) of Article 60.
Does this article cover bottled drinking water?
No. Paragraph (3) states that paragraphs (1) and (2) do not include bottled drinking water.
More articles on Protecting Water Sources from Pollution
- Article 14
The article requires public and private bodies to inform the Ministry of any indicator or change they detect in the water sources belonging to them, and requires the Ministry to follow it up.
على جميع الجهات العامة والخاصة موافاة الوزارة بأي مؤشر أو تغير ترصده في أي مصدر من مصادر المياه التابعة لها، وعلى الوزارة متابعة ذلك.
- Article 19
The article requires the Ministry to take the necessary measures to prevent the use of water sources that have become unsuitable for use, including stopping the issuance of the source license or cancelling it.
تتخذ الوزارة الإجراءات والتدابير اللازمة لمنع استخدام مصادر المياه التي أصبحت غير صالحة للاستخدام، بما في ذلك إيقاف إصدار رخصة استخدام المصدر، أو إلغائها.
- Article 24
The article requires an agricultural irrigation system to include an integrated drainage system that collects excess irrigation water and disposes of it safely, to protect water sources from pollution.
يجب أن تشتمل منظومة الري الزراعي على نظام صرف متكامل لتجميع مياه الري الزائدة، والتخلص منها بطريقة آمنة؛ للمحافظة على مصادر المياه من التلوث، وفقًا لما تحدده لو
- Article 31
The article requires oil factories, car wash stations, restaurants, kitchens and similar facilities to provide grease or oil traps, and requires the owner to maintain them and monitor their operation.
يجب أن توفر مصانع الزيوت، ومحطات غسيل السيارات، والمطاعم والمطابخ، وما في حكمها؛ مصايد الدهون أو الزيوت، وعلى المالك صيانتها ومتابعة عملها بما يحقق الغرض منها؛
- Article 45
The article allows the Ministry, or whoever it licenses, to carry out injection when it is safe from the health, environmental and technical standpoints, as determined by the Ministry's regulations.
يجوز للوزارة أو من ترخص له الحقن كلما كان ذلك آمنًا من الناحية الصحية، والبيئية، والتقنية؛ وفقًا لما تحدده لوائح الوزارة.
- Article 55
Article 55 requires the licensee, except in special zones, to prepare water infrastructure plans for the Ministry's approval, and requires government and private bodies to coordinate with the Ministry to avoid threatening the infrastructure's safety.
1- فيما عدا المناطق الخاصة، يقوم المرخَّص له بإعداد مخططات للبنى الأساسية للمياه، وتعتمدها الوزارة. 2- على الجهات الحكومية والخاصة التنسيق مع الوزارة؛ لتفادي ال
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.