Article 66 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 66 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس عشر: المخالفات والعقوبات
Article 66 specifies who approves the controls for detecting violations of the Water Law, who appoints those assigned to detection and investigation as law enforcement officers, and their powers of inspection and access to records.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يعتمد الوزير ومجلس الإدارة -كل فيما يخصه- الضوابط الخاصة بضبط مخالفات النظام، وإثباتها، والتحقيق فيها.
2- يُحدّد الوزير، والمحافظ -كل فيما يخصه- من منسوبي الوزارة، أو الهيئة -بحسب الاختصاص- أو من غيرهم، من يتولى ضبط مخالفات أحكام النظام، والتحقيق فيها، وتكون لهم صفة (مأموري الضبط)، ولهم كذلك صلاحيات التفتيش، والضبط، والاطلاع على دفاتر المخالف، وسجلاته، والحصول على صورة من الوثائق الثبوتية ذات العلاقة.
3- للوزارة وللهيئة -عند اللزوم- الاستعانة بالجهات المختصة في حالة الضبط، أو تنفيذ أي قرار يصدر في حق المخالف.
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 66 explained in plain English
This article regulates the practical side of detecting violations, in three paragraphs:
1- Approving the controls: The Minister (the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture) and the Board of Directors (the Authority's Board of Directors), each within their competence, approve the controls for detecting, proving and investigating violations of the Law.
2- Appointing those who carry out detection: The Minister and the Governor (the Authority's Governor), each within their competence, specify who handles detecting and investigating violations, whether from the Ministry's or the Authority's staff or from others. These persons have the capacity of law enforcement officers, and have powers of:
- Inspection.
- Detection.
- Access to the violator's books and records.
- Obtaining a copy of the relevant supporting documents.
3- Calling on competent bodies: When necessary, the Ministry and the Authority may call on the competent bodies in detection, or in carrying out any decision issued against the violator.
This article is linked to Article 65, which makes detecting violations and investigating them the tasks of the Ministry and the Authority and allows qualifying specialized companies or offices for monitoring, and to Article 67, which lists the acts that constitute violations of the Law, including preventing or obstructing monitors and those competent in inspection, detection and investigation from doing their work. Someone subject to an inspection or detection who needs to know their rights can consult a lawyer specializing in water, environmental and administrative law.
Practical example
An inspector assigned by the Minister to detect violations visits a farm in Qassim to verify the use of a well. Under this article he has the capacity of a law enforcement officer, and may inspect, access the farm owner's books and records and obtain a copy of the relevant documents.
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 66 of the Saudi Water Law
What powers do water violation inspectors have?
They have the capacity of law enforcement officers, with powers of inspection, detection, access to the violator's books and records, and obtaining a copy of the relevant supporting documents.
Who appoints those who detect violations of the Water Law?
The Minister or the Authority's Governor, each within their competence, from the Ministry's or the Authority's staff or from others.
Can the Ministry call on other bodies when detecting?
Yes. When necessary, the Ministry and the Authority may call on the competent bodies in detection, or in carrying out any decision issued against the violator.
More articles on Water Violations and Penalties
- 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
- Article 65
Article 65 makes detecting violations of the Water Law and its regulations, and investigating them, the tasks of the Ministry and the Authority, each within its competence, and allows them to qualify specialized companies or offices for monitoring and detecting violations.
1- تتولى الوزارة والهيئة -كلٌّ فيما يخصه- ضبط مخالفات أحكام النظام، ولوائح الوزارة، ولوائح الهيئة، والتحقيق فيها، واتخاذ الإجراءات النظامية حيالها، وفقًا لما تح
- Article 67
The article lists seventeen acts that count as violations of the Water Law, including operating without a license, giving misleading information, causing water scarcity or pollution, and unlawful connection to networks.
دون إخلال بالأنظمة الأخرى، يُعدّ القيام بأي من الأفعال الآتية مخالفة للنظام: 1- مزاولة أي نشاط أو عمل من الأنشطة الخاضعة للنظام دون الحصول على رخصة. 2- الإدلاء
- Article 68
The article sets the penalties for violating the Water Law: suspension of the activity for up to one year, cancellation of the license, and a fine of up to twenty million riyals, with a daily fine, doubling on repetition, and publication.
1- دون إخلال بأي عقوبة أشد ينص عليها نظام آخر، يُعاقب من يخالف أيًا من أحكام النظام، أو لوائح الوزارة، أو لوائح الهيئة، أو شروط الرخص، أو الإعفاءات الصادرة وفقً
- Article 69
The article punishes anyone who attempts to violate the Water Law or conceals a violator with half the prescribed penalty, and with the full penalty on repetition.
يعاقب من يشرع في مخالفة أي حكم من أحكام النظام أو يتستر على أي مخالف لأحكامه بنصف العقوبة المقررة للمخالفة، وفي حال التكرار يعاقب بالعقوبة ذاتها المقررة للمخالف
- Article 70
Article 70 creates two committees to hear violations of the Water Law, one for the Ministry and one for the Authority, sets their composition and approval of their decisions, and allows objection before the Administrative Court within 60 days.
1- يتولى النظر والفصل في مخالفات أحكام النظام المتعلقة باختصاص الوزارة ولوائحها، وإيقاع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في النظام، وتقدير التعويضات، لجنة -أو أكثر- تكون
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.