A fine of 600,000 riyals for using untreated wastewater in Saudi Arabia

In a decisive step aimed at protecting public health and enhancing the sustainability of water resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, issued a significant ministerial decree mandating a comprehensive update of the standards and technical specifications related to treated wastewater. This decree aims to ensure the safe use of this water as a strategic resource, while imposing strict penalties on violators.

Deterrent penalties for those who tamper with water security

The new decision stipulates hefty fines of up to 600,000 Saudi Riyals for establishments found to be using untreated wastewater in any activity. These penalties are based on the Water Law and its implementing regulations, as the Ministry considers this act a serious violation that threatens the environment and public health.

In this context, the Director General of the Ministry’s branch in the Makkah region, Engineer Walid Al-Daghis, affirmed that the monitoring teams will not be lenient in implementing the regulations, stressing the need for immediate compliance with the updated controls to ensure full environmental compliance.

Context of the decision and its importance within Vision 2030

This decision is not arbitrary; rather, it falls within the framework of the National Water Strategy, which is an integral part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Given its geographical location and desert climate, the Kingdom places great importance on diversifying and conserving its water resources. Treated wastewater (TSE) is considered one of the most important sustainable alternatives for reducing reliance on non-renewable groundwater and costly desalination for restricted agricultural, afforestation, and industrial purposes.

Updating the technical standards aims to improve the efficiency of treatment plants and ensure that the produced water is free from biological and chemical pollutants, thus transforming it from an environmental burden into a valuable economic resource that supports sustainable development.

Health and environmental risks of using untreated water

The danger of using raw (untreated) sewage water lies in its high levels of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals. Indiscriminate use of this water leads to:

• The spread of diseases and epidemics that threaten the safety of society.
• Pollution and salinization of agricultural soil, leading to the destruction of agricultural land in the long term.
• The contamination of surface groundwater reservoirs makes future treatment extremely difficult.

Invitation to businesses and investors

The Ministry called on all investors and owners of relevant facilities to review the new regulations and standards published on the government's "Istilaa" platform. The Ministry emphasized the continuation of its intensive inspection tours to monitor any violations, urging everyone to comply with the regulations to avoid incurring substantial financial penalties and to contribute to protecting the nation's water resources.