Article 69 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 69 من نظام المياه · الفصل الخامس عشر: المخالفات والعقوبات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 للمخالفة.
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 69 explained in plain English
This article extends the scope of punishment to two cases in which the person has not themselves completed the violation:
- Attempt: whoever attempts to violate any provision of the Law.
- Concealment: whoever conceals any violator of the Law's provisions.
The amount of the penalty:
- The first time: half the penalty prescribed for the violation.
- On repetition: the same penalty prescribed for the violation in full.
The penalty prescribed for the violation is found in Article 68. It is suspending the activity or works in part or in whole for a period not exceeding one year, canceling the license or exemption, and a fine not exceeding twenty million riyals for each violation, together with the competent committee's powers such as the daily fine, doubling on repetition and publication of the decision. Article 69 does not explain how "half" is calculated for non-monetary penalties such as canceling a license.
The article also does not define what repetition means in this case specifically; Article 68 treats a violation as repeated if it occurs within three years of the date the first violation was committed, in the context of doubling the fine.
The bodies that hear these violations and impose the penalties are the committees provided for in Article 70, and their decisions may be objected to before the Administrative Court within 60 days of the date of notification of the decision. Anyone accused of attempt or concealment would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in water and environmental regulation and administrative cases.
Practical example
A farm worker in Hail learned that the farm owner was using an unlicensed well and helped hide it from inspectors. This act is concealing a violator, so he is punished with half the penalty prescribed for the violation, and if he repeats it he is punished with the full penalty.
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 69 of the Saudi Water Law
What is the penalty for concealing a violator of the Water Law?
Half the penalty prescribed for the violation, and on repetition the same penalty prescribed for the violation.
Is someone who tried to commit a violation but did not complete it punished?
Yes. Whoever attempts to violate any provision of the Law is punished with half the penalty prescribed for the violation.
What is the penalty if the attempt or concealment is repeated?
The full penalty prescribed for the violation.
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 66
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.
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 ال
- 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 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.