Article 9 of the Saudi Water Law
المادة 9 من نظام المياه · الفصل الرابع: مصادر الياه وملكيتها
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 تحدده اللجنة الوزارية، والاشتراطات التي تحددها الوزارة.
2- يُشترط لإقامة محطة تحلية في موقع محدد على البحر الحصول على موافقة مسبقة من الوزارة على إقامة تلك المحطة في ذلك الموقع.
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 9 explained in plain English
This article contains two provisions:
First: the license to use and develop sources (paragraph 1). No person may:
- use any water source, or
- develop it, or
- prepare for either,
except after obtaining the necessary license, according to the financial fee set by the Ministerial Committee and the requirements set by the Ministry. Seawater is excepted from this rule. Note that the prohibition also covers the "preparation" stage, and is not limited to actual use. The text does not state the amount of the financial fee.
Second: desalination plants (paragraph 2). Establishing a desalination plant at a specific site on the sea requires obtaining the prior approval of the Ministry to establish it at that site. So although seawater is excepted from the license requirement in paragraph 1, the site of a desalination plant needs prior approval.
This rule follows from what Article 8 provides, that water sources are public property to be benefited from in accordance with the provisions of the law. It is followed by Article 10, which gives the Ministry the right to impose meters on wells of non-renewable layers.
To assess the effect of this rule on a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in water and environmental laws.
Practical example
An investor wants to dig a well on his farm in the Hail region to irrigate his crops. He may not use this water source, or prepare for that, before obtaining the necessary license, paying the financial fee set by the Ministerial Committee, and complying with the Ministry's requirements.
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 9 of the Saudi Water Law
Do I need a license to use a water source?
Yes. No person may use any water source, or develop it, or prepare for that, except after obtaining the necessary license, other than seawater.
Who sets the financial fee for a water license?
The Ministerial Committee sets it, and the Ministry sets the requirements.
Does a desalination plant need approval?
Yes. Prior approval from the Ministry is required to establish the plant at the specific site on the sea.
More articles on Ownership of Water Sources and Use Licenses
- Article 7
The article provides that water sources are surface water and renewable and non-renewable groundwater.
تشمل مصادرُ المياه ما يأتي: 1- المياه السطحية. 2- المياه الجوفية المتجددة، وغير المتجددة.
- 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 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.