Article 7 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 7 من نظام المياه · الفصل الرابع: مصادر الياه وملكيتها
The article provides that water sources are surface water and renewable and non-renewable groundwater.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تشمل مصادرُ المياه ما يأتي:
1- المياه السطحية.
2- المياه الجوفية المتجددة، وغير المتجددة.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article states what water sources include under the law, namely:
- Surface water.
- Groundwater, in its two kinds: renewable and non-renewable.
The importance of this specification is that the phrase "water sources" recurs in the provisions of the law; whatever falls within these kinds is subject to what the law provides for water sources. This includes the next article, Article 8, which provides that water sources are public property to be benefited from in accordance with the provisions of the law and other laws, without prejudice to rights established by Sharia.
The text does not merely mention "groundwater" generally but expressly names its two kinds, renewable and non-renewable, so both fall within water sources. This article does not itself define each kind; the detailed meanings are found in the definitions article.
It is preceded by Article 6, which requires the Ministry and the Authority to provide the private sector with information and feasibility studies, and requires bodies and licensees to provide them with the information, samples and documents needed 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 7 of the Saudi Water Law
What are the water sources under the Saudi Water Law?
Surface water, and renewable and non-renewable groundwater.
Is groundwater a water source?
Yes, in both its renewable and non-renewable kinds.
Who owns water sources?
Article 8 provides that water sources are public property, without prejudice to rights established by Sharia.
More articles on Ownership of Water Sources and Use Licenses
- Article 8
The article provides that water sources are public property to be benefited from in accordance with the Water Law and other laws, without prejudice to rights established by Sharia.
دون إخلال بالحقوق المُقررة شرعًا، تُعد مصادر المياه ملكًا عامًا، يتم الانتفاع بها طبقًا لأحكام النظام والأنظمة الأخرى.
- Article 9
The article bars using or developing any water source other than seawater, or preparing for either, without a license, and requires the Ministry's prior approval for the site of any desalination plant.
1- فيما عدا مياه البحر، لا يجوز لأي شخص استخدام أي مصدر مائي، أو تنميته، أو الإعداد لذلك إلا بعد الحصول على الرخصة اللازمة؛ وفقًا للمقابل المالي للرخصة الذي تحد
- Article 10
The article gives the Ministry the right to impose meters on wells in non-renewable aquifers to monitor consumption under the water allowances, and lets the Ministerial Committee consider imposing a fee when the allowance is exceeded.
للوزارة الحق في فرض تركيب عدادات؛ لقياس تدفق المياه من الآبار الواقعة في الطبقات الحاملة للمياه غير المتجددة؛ لمراقبة وتنظيم كمية استهلاك وترشيد استخدامها؛ وفقً
- Article 11
The article provides that licenses to use well water sources do not pass with the transfer of ownership of the land containing the source except with the Ministry's approval.
لا تنتقل تراخيص استخدام مصادر مياه الآبار تبعًا لنقل ملكية الأرض المشتملة على المصدر إلا بعد موافقة الوزارة.
- Article 34
The article requires the Ministry, before transferring a source use license from one user to another, to verify there is no higher-priority or more viable request and that the new use fits the strategy and safe yield, and to coordinate with the Authority where needed.
1- على الوزارة -قبل نقل رخصة استخدام المصدر من مستخدم إلى آخر- التحقق من عدم وجود طلب آخر أكثر أولوية أو أكثر جدوى من الاستخدام المطلوب النقل إليه، وأن يكون الا
- Article 35
The article authorizes the Ministry or the Authority, each within its jurisdiction, to impose a financial charge on licenses and on applications to transfer water use rights.
تفرض الوزارة أو الهيئة -بحسب الاختصاص- مقابلاً ماليًا على الرخص وطلبات نقل حقوق الاستخدام.
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.