Water Law 2020. Country/Territory Saudi Arabia Document type Legislation Date 2020 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Livestock, Environment gen., Water, Waste & hazardous substances Keyword Hazards Water shortage/drought Effluent waste water/discharge Governance Inspection Irrigation Livestock water use Monitoring Public health Royalties/fees Sustainable development Sustainable use Transport/storage Protection of environment Rainwater Recycling/reuse Water quality standards Basic legislation Authorization/permit Data collection/reporting Dispute settlement Groundwater Industrial water use Institution Offences/penalties Pollution control Potable water Priorities Sewerage Standards Surface water Water supply Waterworks Freshwater pollution Geographical area Asia, Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Persian Gulf, Red Sea & Gulf of Aden, Western Asia Entry into force notes This Law enters into force 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. Abstract This Law consisting of 77 articles divided in XVII Chapters aims at (i) ensuring the sustainability of water, preserving, protecting, and developing its resources; (ii) ensure access to clean and safe water suitable for use and in conformity with the standard specifications stipulated by law providing adequate water supplies for the agricultural sector; (iii) enhancing the participation of the private sector in developing water projects, and enhancing effective governance; and (iv) providing water supply to all consumers in a fair, balanced, safe, clean manner at competitive prices, in accordance with the standards and plans set by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. Chapter IV clarifies that all surface water and renewable and nonrenewable groundwater is public property, and subject to the present Law. With the exception of seawater, no one may use or develop any water source without a license from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. A license to exploit water sources may not be transferred with ownership of the relevant land without the ministry’s approval. Water use and allocation shall be according to the priorities established at article 12, respectively (1) basic human needs; (2) watering animals; and (3) agricultural, urban and industrial demand, and the minimum environmental balance. The priorities in this case are determined by a decision of the Ministerial Committee based on the proposal of the Ministry. Full text English/Arabic Website laws.boe.gov.sa; https References - Legislation Repeals Regulations for water resources preservation, (Royal Decree No. M 34 of 1980). Legislation | Saudi Arabia | 1980 Keyword: Institution, Waterworks, Well sinking/boreholes, Water shortage/drought, Pollution control, Authorization/permit, Freshwater pollution Source: FAO, FAOLEX Cabinet Resolution No.42 of 2000 on Law of Treated Sewage Water and Reuse thereof, issued by Royal Decree No. M/6 of 2000 (1421 Hegira). Legislation | Saudi Arabia | 2000 Keyword: Recycling/reuse, Sewerage, Groundwater, Recreational water use, Irrigation, Industrial water use, Monitoring, Standards, Sustainable use, Authorization/permit Source: FAO, FAOLEX Implemented by Executive Regulations of the Water Law for regulating service provision activities. Legislation | Saudi Arabia | 2020 Keyword: Authorization/permit, Business/industry/corporations, Consumer protection, Data collection/reporting, Effluent waste water/discharge, Royalties/fees, Monitoring, Protection of environment, Sewerage, Sustainable development, Sustainable use, Freshwater resources management, Water supply, Waterworks, Well sinking/boreholes, Pollution control Source: FAO, FAOLEX Executive Regulations for the water system related to the tasks of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Legislation | Saudi Arabia | 2020 Keyword: Institution, Access-to-information, Authorization/permit, Basin/catchment/watershed, Capacity building, Climate change, Effluent waste water/discharge, Education, Enforcement/compliance, Governance, Groundwater, Inspection, Integrated management, Irrigation, Monitoring, Protection of environment, Public health, Rainwater, Recycling/reuse, Registration, Renewable energy, Research, Right to water, Risk assessment/management, Surface water, Sustainable development, Sustainable use, Freshwater resources management, Water supply, Waterworks, Well sinking/boreholes, Pollution control, Human rights, Freshwater pollution, Inland waters Source: FAO, FAOLEX