15 violations of water regulations recorded in Mecca and Jeddah: Intensive monitoring campaigns

The Makkah branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, represented by the Water Department, announced that its inspection teams successfully detected 15 violations of water regulations during intensive field campaigns that included the Holy City of Makkah and Jeddah. These field operations are part of the Ministry's strategy to enhance compliance with environmental and water regulations in the Kingdom.

Details of the inspection tours in Mecca and Jeddah

The Director General of the Ministry's branch in the Makkah region, Engineer Waleed Al-Daghis, explained that specialized teams conducted approximately 85 thorough field inspection tours targeting various sites to ensure their compliance with the requirements for water source and usage licenses. Al-Daghis confirmed that the tours resulted in identifying violations and applying deterrent legal measures against violators in accordance with the approved executive regulations of the Water Law. He noted that these efforts are ongoing and will continue to ensure the rule of law and the protection of water resources.

The context of the water system and its strategic importance

These inspection tours are of particular importance as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strives to implement its comprehensive Water Law, which aims to preserve, develop, protect, and ensure the sustainability of water resources, as well as manage and regulate water-related affairs, rights, and uses. This law is a cornerstone of the water sector's legislative framework, imposing stricter penalties for drilling wells without a license or depleting groundwater aquifers, given that water is a fundamental pillar of national and food security in the Kingdom.

Water sustainability and the Kingdom's Vision 2030

The efforts of the Ministry's branch in Makkah are fully aligned with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy, which prioritize environmental sustainability and water security. Given its geographical location and desert climate, the Kingdom relies heavily on non-renewable groundwater and desalinated water. Therefore, any encroachment on groundwater resources or their unsustainable use poses a direct threat to the strategic water reserves for future generations.

Environmental and economic impact of control

The Ministry's oversight role contributes to mitigating the negative impacts of excessive water use, such as soil salinization and declining groundwater levels, which adversely affect agricultural activity and ecological balance. By addressing violations in vital cities like Mecca and Jeddah, which experience high population density and significant urban and commercial development, the Ministry ensures the equitable distribution of water resources and their optimal use in a way that serves the public interest and supports sustainable development.