"Don't Walk It" Campaign: Saudi Water Authority Pursues Tanker Violations
The Saudi Water Authority announced the launch of a new and crucial phase in its awareness and monitoring campaign, "Don't Let It Go," which primarily aims to detect violations by water tankers across the Kingdom. This step comes as part of the Authority's ongoing efforts to improve the quality of services provided to consumers and ensure that all operators and transporters comply with the standards and regulations established by the state to govern this vital sector.
Campaign objectives and monitoring mechanisms
The current phase of the campaign focuses on ensuring that water tankers adhere to the approved visual identity and that the tanker's information is clearly displayed. This is the key differentiator between compliant and non-compliant tankers. The authority emphasized that compliance with these requirements is not merely a formality, but a necessity to guarantee the safety and suitability of the transported water for consumption, as well as to protect consumers from price manipulation or obtaining water from unreliable sources.
Context of regulating the water sector in the Kingdom
This move comes within a broader context of regulating the water sector in Saudi Arabia, which has witnessed radical transformations in its legislative and regulatory framework in recent years. The Saudi Water Authority (which has replaced previous regulatory bodies in some areas) is working to implement the provisions of the comprehensive Water Law, which aims to protect water resources, rationalize consumption, and ensure the provision of services in a safe and sustainable manner. The tanker transport sector is an integral part of the water supply chain, particularly in areas not fully covered by networks or during emergencies, thus necessitating strict oversight.
Economic and health importance
This campaign is of paramount importance on both the health and economic fronts. From a health perspective, eliminating unlicensed tankers ensures that no contaminated or unidentified water, which could harm public health, is transported. Economically, regulating the market prevents monopolies and price gouging, and creates a fair competitive environment for licensed operators who adhere to standards. It also contributes to eliminating the informal economy associated with undocumented workers, who are often involved in operating these unlicensed tankers.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The “Don’t Walk It” campaign aligns with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to improve quality of life and enhance the efficiency of public services and facilities. The Authority calls upon all citizens and residents to actively participate in this campaign by reporting any observed violations through official channels, emphasizing that community awareness is the first line of defense in ensuring the sustainability and excellence of water services.
