The Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture,
based on the powers granted to him by law, based on article 9(1) of the Water Law issued by Royal Decree D/159 dated 11 Dhu Al-Qa’dah 1441 [2 July 2020], in exception to article 2(2) of the Conditions and Controls for Issuing Licenses of Groundwater Sources (Wells) and Classifying Their Violations issued by Ministerial Decision 5216262 dated 24 Rajab 1445 [5 February 2024], and based on the matters presented by the undersecretary of the ministry for water Letter 25050113 dated 30 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [1 January 2025], which includes the appropriateness of the Mechanism Governing the Issuance of Licenses for Drilling New Wells in Farms Located in the Arabian Shield, and the area excluded from the sedimentary shelf along the Arab, Jubaila, Wadi Hanifa, and Tuwaiq Formations that are not reliable as sources of drinking water, based on the agricultural registry (for those who do not have ownership deeds), and in pursuance of public interest,
hereby decides
First
The Mechanism Governing the Issuance of Licenses for Drilling New Wells in Farms Located in the Arabian Shield, and the area excluded from the sedimentary shelf along the Arab, Jubaila, Wadi Hanifa, and Tuwaiq Formations that are not reliable as sources of drinking water, based on the agricultural registry (for those who do not have ownership deeds), is hereby approved, in accordance with the form attached to this decision.
Second
This decision is effective for a period of three years from the date of its publication in the official gazette, subject to renewal whenever necessary. It must be communicated to those concerned to implement and act upon it.
May Allah provide success.
Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture
Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley
Issued on: 9 Rajab 1446
Corresponding to: 9 January 2025
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5065 issued on 17 January 2025.