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Water Act (within the Saudi Vision 2030).

Country/Territory
Saudi Arabia
Document type
Legislation
Date
2016
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Agricultural & rural development, Water
Keyword
Early warning system Monitoring Research Right to water Authorization/permit Basic legislation Rainwater Recreational water use Groundwater Surface water Property rights Hazards Well sinking/boreholes International trade Royalties/fees Water supply Irrigation Human rights
Geographical area
Asia, Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Persian Gulf, Red Sea & Gulf of Aden, Western Asia
Entry into force notes
This Act enters into force 180 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Abstract

This Act, consisting of 137 articles divided in XI Sections, aims to regulate and protect the sources of water, ensuring their sustainability and management, regulating their affairs, related rights and use. Water sources are listed as follows (i) rainwater, snow and discharge of torrents ; (ii) renewable and no-renewable groundwater; (iii) surface water; (iv) treated wastewater ; and (v) desalinated seawater. It establishes that all the water sources are property of the State and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is responsible for their protection and exploitation with the following competencies: (i) grant licenses for the use and exploitation of water resources; (ii) the possibility of imposing numbers on wells in farms, recreational facilities and houses; (iii) prepare and up to date the National Water Strategy; (iv) develop an emergency and disaster management plan that incorporates the activation of monitoring and early warning techniques; (v) establish a national center for information and research; (vi) monitoring water sources; (vii) impose and monitoring the use of advanced and rational irrigation techniques and systems for the use of water in agricultural activities; (viii) prepare educational programs for farmers; (ix) promote the use of environmentally friendly technologies and materials in all water services and projects. The Authority responsible for regulating the public services shall develop plans to encourage the private sector participation in the water projects and services and in achieving the goals contained in the national policies. It also establishes the water tariffs or fees.

Full text
Arabic
Website
www.mewa.gov.sa