In a decisive step aimed at enhancing water security and protecting public health, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has approved a comprehensive set of new regulations and requirements governing the reuse of treated wastewater. These measures fall within a precise regulatory framework designed to eliminate haphazard practices that could harm the environment or threaten public safety, with hefty fines of up to 600,000 Saudi Riyals imposed on violators.
Strategic dimension and environmental importance
These measures are of paramount importance given the Kingdom's geographical nature and limited natural water resources. These regulations align with the objectives of Vision 2030, which focuses on the sustainability of water resources and maximizing the use of treated wastewater as a strategic option for agricultural and industrial purposes. This will alleviate pressure on non-renewable groundwater sources and costly desalination. Regulating this sector not only protects the environment from pollution but also ensures that agricultural products reaching consumers are completely safe and free from biological and chemical contaminants.
Strict ban on indiscriminate use
The new regulations, specifically Article 3, emphasize the complete and absolute prohibition of using raw (untreated) sewage in any activity whatsoever, or discharging it into the environment, due to the serious threat it poses to ecological balance and public health. The Ministry has assigned the task of strict oversight to the relevant authorities. The General Irrigation Authority is responsible for monitoring the use of treated water and immediately reporting any violations, while the National Center for Environmental Compliance is tasked with developing environmental monitoring indicators.
Usage categories and prohibitions
The regulations clearly distinguished between types of treated water and their uses to ensure safety:
1. Secondary treated water: Permitted for use in specific areas such as restricted agricultural irrigation (for forest trees or non-food crops), and for industrial and mining purposes, provided it meets the required standards.
2. Tertiary treated water: Permitted for use in a wider range, but with strict red lines; its use is strictly prohibited for drinking, food processing, or irrigating leafy and root crops that are eaten raw (such as lettuce and radishes) and come into direct contact with the water.
Protecting wells and groundwater
The regulations also addressed the protection of groundwater reserves, prohibiting the injection of treated wastewater into aquifers without a special permit and thorough studies. They also imposed strict conditions on wells located near treated wastewater discharge points, requiring owners to conduct regular laboratory tests (every three months) to ensure no contamination, and categorically prohibiting the use of water from these wells for drinking or food processing.
List of deterrent penalties and fines
To ensure compliance, the Ministry has established a strict schedule of penalties:
– 400,000 to 600,000 riyals: fine for using untreated wastewater for any purpose.
– 200,000 to 300,000 riyals: fine for using treated water for drinking or domestic use.
– 100,000 to 200,000 riyals: fine for using well water near wastewater outlets for drinking or in the food industry.
– 50,000 to 70,000 riyals: fine for using treated water to irrigate leafy and root crops that are eaten raw.
These high fines aim to create a deterrent environment that ensures everyone adheres to environmental and health standards, thereby enhancing the quality of life and protecting natural resources for future generations.
