Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ministry of Water and Electricity.

The Executive Regulations for the

Treated sewage water Law and its use.

Contents 1. Article Number 1: Terms and Definitions: ................................................................................... 5

2. Article Number 2: Areas of Application: ........................................................................................... 8

3. Article Number 3: The General Purposes: ........................................................................................ 8

4. Article No. 4: The Permits. .............................................................................................................. 10

5. Article No. 5: General Conditions: .................................................................................................. 11

6. Article No. 6: The Special Conditions: ............................................................................................ 14

7. Article No. 7 Use of Treated sewage water for Municipal Purposes ............................................. 16

8. Article No. 8: Agricultural use of sewage sludge. ........................................................................... 16

9. Article No.9: Using the Treated sewage water for fish farming purposes. .................................... 17

10. Article No.10: Using the Treated sewage water to inject inside the water layers. ...................... 17

11. Article No.10: Using the Treated sewage water for industrial Purposes: .................................... 17

12. Article No.12: Using the treated sewage water for entertainment purposes: ............................ 18

13. Article No. 13: The Irrigation Systems: ......................................................................................... 18

14. Article No. 14: The Treatment sewage plants: ............................................................................. 18

15. Article No. 15: the Characteristics and standards of the sewage which enter the public network

and the treatment plants: .......................................................................................................... 22

16. Article No. 16: The Characteristics and standards of using the treated sewage water: .............. 22

17. Article No. 17: Agricultural Usage of the treated sewage water: ................................................ 22

18. Article No. 18 The standards and specification of using the sludge for framing proposes: ........ 23

19. Article No. 19: The Inspectors Duties: .......................................................................................... 25

20. Article No. 20: Taking Samples and Performing needed analysis: ............................................... 26

21. Article No. 21: The Safety Requirements For The farm laborers working Any Site Which Uses the

Treated sewage water. ............................................................................................................... 26

22. Article No. 22: Violations Control. ................................................................................................ 28

23. Article No. 23: Penalties Estimation: ............................................................................................ 28

24. Article No.24: Identifying the Violations and Penalties: .............................................................. 29

25. Article No. 25: The Regulation Modification and detailing: ......................................................... 31

26. Article No. 26: Final Provisions: .................................................................................................... 31

Tables

Table No. 1: The standards and specifications of the sewage entering the sewage public network

and treatment plants: .................................................................................................................... 33

Table No. 3: Maximum Pollution Levels of Triple Treatment Sewage ........................................... 35

Table No. 4 The Standards to use the treated sewage water for limited irrigation purposes:...... 36

Table No. 5 The Standards to use the treated sewage water for unlimited irrigation purposes: . 36

Table 6: The Chemical Standards to us the sludge for farming purposes: .................................... 36

Table 7: The bio standards to use the sludge for farming purposes: ............................................. 36

First Chapter.

General.

1. Article Number 1: Terms and Definitions: The following words and terms shall have the meanings stated beside each of them,

unless otherwise explicitly indicated in the text or the context.

1.1. Law: is the Law of treated sewage water and its reuse, issued by the Royal

Decree No. M/6 dated 13/02/1422 (07/05/2001).

1.2. Permit/Authorization: Written approval issued by the concerned authority.

1.3. The Concerned Authority: One or more of the following governmental

authorities:

1.3.1. Ministry of Water and Electricity.

1.3.2. Ministry of Agriculture

1.3.3. Ministry of Municipals and Rural Affairs.

1.3.4. Ministry of Commerce and Investment (Before Known as the Ministry

of Commerce and Industry).

1.4. The Concerned Minister: The Minister of the Concerned Authority.

1.5. The Permit Owner: The person who gets the permit form the Concerned

Authority to perform one or more works related to the sewage, its discharge,

or it use.

1.6. The Person: Anyone (Physically or Legally).

1.7. The Owner: The person who own the land, building or project. Either if he owns

the property, representative or investor.

1.8. The User: a Person, Contractor, or Government Authority who use treated

sewage water.

1.9. The Supervisor: The Concerned Authority Representative.

1.10. The Sewage Water: Water contains wastes from the residential, commercial

buildings, governmental buildings, institutions, or factories.

1.11. Sewage sludge: semi-solid material that is produced as a by-product during

sewage treatment.

1.12. Treated sewage sludge: The solid sludge after treatment and water discharge.

1.13. Public sewage network: the sewage network managed by governmental

authority or public organization.

1.14. Private sewage network: Sewage networks managed by its owner.

1.15. Big Compounds: Any residential, commercial, industrial, martial, university

compounds…etc. with private or public activities and more than 2000

population or more than 500 M3 daily effluent.

1.16. The sewage utility: all tools, equipment, utilities needed to collect, transfer or

treat the sewage.

1.17. Effluent balancing units: special tanks used to collect the sewage and discharge

it regularly (Quality and Quantity) to the public sewage network.

1.18. Connection room: the last check-up room in the sewage network of a building.

1.19. The building discharge tube: the extension of the connection room into the

public sewage network

1.20. Septic Tank: a tank, typically underground, in which sewage is collected

according to certain technical specifications.

1.21. Collecting tanks: tank made of concrete, concrete blocks, fiberglass or any

other non-absorbing material

1.22. Vacuum trucks: a vehicle equipped with locked tanks, approved by the

concerned authority to collect and transfer the liquid waste.

1.23. Discharge points: connection point with the public sewage network, designed

to discharge the waste transferred by the vacuum trucks from the septic tanks

to these discharge points.

1.24. Non-Municipal solid waste: Any waste or sewage produced by the industrial,

commercial, medical or scientific activities.

1.25. Grease traps: Special engineering design plumbing device connected to the

internal sewage fixtures in the commercial kitchens, restaurants, food

factories, hotels…etc. These unit used to separate the grease and solids

before they enter a wastewater disposal system or to the septic tanks.

1.26. Oil traps: Special engineering design plumbing used to separate the oils

produced by the activities in the car washing and maintenance workshop

before they enter a wastewater disposal system or to the septic tanks.

1.27. Sewage treatment plant: The utility combined of the tools, equipment,

buildings..etc. used to treat the sewage.

1.28. Private Sewage treatment plant: a treatment sewage plant for big compounds,

and usually operated by its owner.

1.29. The private treatment unit: private treatment unit executed in the farms to

improve the type of the treated sewage water or polluted water wells, in

order to use it for irrigation purposes.

1.30. The treated sewage water: the treated water after properly processing in the

plant according to the applicable standards for the type of sewage and it

reuse.

1.31. Standards: the standard values to identify the natural, bio and chemical

components, which specify the type of this treated sewage water.

1.32. Specifications: the natural, bio and chemical specifications for the sewage

(before and after treatment). And the sludge

1.33. BOD5: is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed

1.34. The chemical oxygen demand (COD): standard value to measure the chemical

demand on the oxygen.

1.35. TSS: Standard Value to measure the Total suspended solids in the water, which

can be removed by traditional Filtration

1.36. MPN: Most probable number: standards value to measure the most popular

number of the live bacteria in the sewage.

1.37. The initial treatment: the level of the treatment we could reach through

settling of the water, only.

1.38. Dual treatment: the level of the treatment we could reach through the

treatment, which ends by settling and purification, the resulted water could

be used for limited irrigation purposes.

1.39. Triple treatment: the level of the treatment we could reach through the

treatment, which ends by settling, purification and any other technique, the

resulted water could be used for unlimited irrigation purposes.

1.40. Bio treatment: treatment technique that involves the use of bacteria to

remove or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated water.

1.41. Unpolluted water: water with same quality or more than the quality of the

treatment sewage. Or water with the same quality of the recipient water.

1.42. Polluted materials: any bio, chemical, physical, or radio materials located in the

sewage. Which cause low quality water or jeopardy its use.

1.43. Harmful materials: any material, which cause damage or harms the sewage

network, sewage system or sewage plant.

1.44. Maximum level of the polluted materials: the maximum permitted level of the

polluted materials located in the sewage, as per the international standards.

1.45. Feeding points: The points, which produce the treated sewage water for the

users.

1.46. Irrigation techniques: used techniques to irrigate the plants.

1.47. Unlimited irrigation: the irrigation of all crops

1.48. Limited irrigation: the irrigation of all crops except vegetables, roots crops, and

all plants that the sewage touches it fruits weather it could be eaten raw or

cooked.

1.49. Municipal plants: all landscaping works located in the street, parks,

entertainment areas and highways.

1.50. Stormwater network: the tubes and pipes designed to transfer the

stormwater, surface water or ground water appeared suddenly, to the

valleys. This network has a special tracks separated from the sewage tracks.

1.51. The normal exits: any outlet for discharging the stormwater or sewage

reaching valleys, ponds, lake, or any other means for water collecting.

1.52. Rocky areas: kind of geological items appeared on the surface.

1.53. Direct injection: pumping the sewage into the earth layers

1.54. Penalties committee: The committee, which issue the penalties according to

the article No. 31 of this law.

2. Article Number 2: Areas of Application: This regulation stand for the terms and technical conditions of the treated sewage

water Law and its use as per the Ministerial Reregulation No. 42, dated 11/02/1421

and the Article No. 33 of the Treated sewage water Law and its use, and the Royal

Decree No. 7/B/302194 dated 04/07/1424 H.

3. Article Number 3: The General Purposes: 3.1. Identifying certain and approved techniques and levels to discharge the sewage.

3.2. Setting the standards for safe use of the treated sewage water.

3.3. Preserve the public health from the side effects of the pollution by the sewage.

3.4. Optimal use of the treated sewage water, which is considered as indirect

resources of water.

3.5. Control the quality of the treated sewage water.

3.6. Control the treatment sewage plants.

Second Chapter.

Permits and Regulation

Conditions.

4. Article No. 4: The Permits. 4.1. The concerned authority will issue the requirements and conditions needed in

order to give the permits.

4.2. The permit of using the treated sewage water:

4.2.1. It is necessary to obtain the permit from the Ministry of Water and Electricity

to use the treated sewage water or its resulted sludge.

4.2.2. The Ministry of Agriculture issues the permit to identify the type of plants,

irrigation techniques, future crops inside the farms used the treated sewage

water (limited irrigation purposes). This could be done through distributing

network or any other proper means.

4.2.3. The following conditions will be applied by the Ministry of Water and

Electricity to issue the permits when using the surface wells water in the

urban areas or villages which could be contaminated by the sewage:

4.2.3.1. The user should perform analysis for the used water, in the approved offices

of the Ministry of Water and Electricity.

4.2.3.2. If the analysis results reached the maximum limits, the user should obtain a

permit from the Ministry of Agriculture to use the sewage for irrigation

purposes. The standards values mentioned in the table No. 3 here will be

applied, as well as other conditions stated in this regulation.

4.2.3.3. If the results exceed the maximum limits for the limited irrigation, and the

user wants to use this water, he should manage to have his private sewage

treatment unit on his own expenses. However, first he should obtain a permit

from the Ministry of Agriculture. The treated sewage water of this unit should

meet the standard value mentioned in this regulation.

4.2.3.4. If the results exceed the maximum limits for the unlimited irrigation, and the

user wants to use this water, he should manage to have his private sewage

treatment unit on his own expenses. However, first he should obtain a permit

from the Ministry of Agriculture to construct this unit and to use the treated

sewage water for irrigation of crops which need high quality of concerns. The

standards values mentioned in the table No. 3 here will be applied, as well as

other conditions stated in this regulation.

4.3. The permit to construct sewage network or private sewage treatment plant:

4.3.1. The owner of big compounds (Governmental, Private, Residential

Developer, Sewage Network Contractors…etc) should follow the

following steps:

4.3.1.1. Obtaining the approval from Ministry of Water and Electricity to

construct Sewage Treatment Plant

4.3.1.2. Submit the initial & final design and get them approved.

4.3.1.3. Get the final approval after the constructing and operation. The

Contractor or execution party should not be given clearance until

having the final approval.

4.3.2. Getting the approval of all plant constructed before issuing this law.

4.4. The Permit to construct septic or Collecting tanks

4.4.1. It is necessary to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Rural Affairs to

construct septic or sewage collecting tanks.

4.4.2. It is not allowed to construct septic tanks in the big compounds

4.5. The permit to transfer the sewage:

It is necessary to get the approval form the concerned authority for

transferring the sewage.

5. Article No. 5: General Conditions: 5.1. It is not allowed to discharge the sewage into the seas, wells, rocky areas near

the bodies of water, irrigation canals, agricultural drainage, dams…etc.

5.2. Discharging the sludge: It is not allowed to discharge the sludge into the seas,

wells, rocky areas near the bodies of water, irrigation canals, agricultural

drainage, dams…etc. There should be coordination with the Ministry of Rural

Affairs to identify the proper places to discharge the sludge.

5.3. Discharging the Sewage to the public network:

5.3.1. Any property owner (Except the Big Compounds Owners), should connect the

property to the public sewage network if available. However, he is allowed to

construct private sewage treatment unit and use the treated sewage water.

5.3.2. It is not allowed to discharge any liquid waste into the public sewage network,

if they exceed the limits stated in the table No. 1 here.

5.3.3. The owner or his representative has to coordinate with the Ministry of Water

and Electricity for identifying the discharging point of the property or building.

5.3.4. The owner or his representative has to submit an application to the Ministry

of Water and Electricity containing all details and drawings or any needed info to

connect the discharging points with the public sewage network.

5.3.5. It is not allowed to discharge the stormwater, ground water, water produced

by the construction sites..etc. to the public sewage network, unless having permit

from the Ministry of Water and Electricity to identify the discharging techniques

and means.

5.3.6. All governmental, private or commercial organization has to treat their sewage

before discharging to the public sewage network, if they exceed the limit stated

in the table No. 1

5.3.7. If some sewage has been discharged and the Ministry of Water and Electricity

observe that this sewage is harmful of the Sewage network, then The Ministry is

allowed to reject this sewage or ask the owner to treat this sewage until

accepted, or control the quantity of discharging. It is also necessary to provide

solid material traps, oils and grease trap.

5.3.8. The owner is responsible for operate and maintain the initial treatment utility

and the Effluent balancing units of the sewage to achieve the effective operation.

5.3.9. The Ministry is allowed to ask for any information related to the initial

treatment utility and the Effluent balancing units

5.3.10. If the following materials is located in the sewage, then it is not allowed

to discharge it into the public sewage network:

5.3.10.1. Industrial liquids, flammable or exploded materials.

5.3.10.2. Solid industrial or residential materials like: ashes, glasses, metals…etc.

5.3.10.3. Water containing hydrocarbons or pesticides and agricultural.

5.3.10.4. Any harmful, burning or toxic materials.

5.3.10.5. Oil, grease or construction debris

5.3.10.6. Medical waste from hospitals and research centers, laboratory analyzes and

the remnants of the samples..etc.

5.3.10.7. Radioactive materials

5.3.10.8. The outcomes of water desalination plants.

5.3.10.9. Output of abattoirs or tanneries or factory waste.

5.3.11. The oil factories, car washing units, kitchens, restaurants …etc. have to

install grease and oil traps before discharging the water into the public sewage

network. The Owner has to maintain these traps and make sure they are effective

after getting the approval from the Ministry of Water and Electricity.

5.4. Discharging the sewage in the areas where no public sewage network available:

5.4.1. The owner of the property has to construct septic tank, and provide a closed

connection point to use with the public network in the future.

5.4.2. The owner of residential or commercial compounds (total daily production less

than 500 M3), has to provide private treatment plant for these compounds and

produce treated water as per the standards. Otherwise, he needs to construct

sewage collecting tanks

5.4.3. The owner has to construct the septic or collecting tanks as per the approved

drawing and details from the Ministry of Rural Affairs. The Ministry is allowed to

supervise the constriction and execution process.

5.4.4. The owner has to empty the septic or collecting tanks regularly, through using

vacuum trucks and discharge the sewage into the proper discharging points.

Taking into account these sewage has to meet the standards as stated in this

regulation.

5.4.5. The Ministry of Water and Electricity is allowed to take samples from these

trucks on the discharging points, to make sure it matches the standards as stated

in this regulation.

5.5. Discharging the sewage of big compounds:

5.5.1. After getting the approval from the Ministry of Water and Electricity, the

compounds owner has to construct private sewage treatment plants for

these compounds. The treated sewage water should meet the standards.

5.5.2. The owner has to use the treated sewage water or discharge them

5.6. Discharging the treated sewage water:

5.6.1. The treated sewage water, which meets the standards, could be

discharged into the empty lands, empty valleys, or agricultural drainage

after getting the needed approval from the concerned authority.

5.6.2. When discharging the treated sewage water into the seas, the owner

should follow the instruction of the Saudi Wildlife Authority.

5.6.3. In a pinch, it is allowed to discharge the treated sewage water, which does

not meets the standards, into the empty lands or empty valleys after

getting the needed approval from the concerned authority.

5.6.4. It is not allowed to discharge the treated sewage water into the wells, or any

potable water resources.

6. Article No. 6: The Special Conditions: 6.1. Using the treated sewage water for irrigation:

6.1.1. The treated sewage water intended to use for irrigation purposes should meet the

standards and conditions stated in this regulation.

6.1.2. Doing the physical and chemical properties analysis for the soil of the farms which

irrigated by the treated sewage water. The analysis should be done in the labs of

the Ministry of Agriculture or any approved labs, to evaluate the results of using

the sewage on the soils.

6.1.3. It is not allowed to link the treated sewage water pipes to the wells network pipes.

6.1.4. It is not allowed to open the treated sewage water feeding points to the farms,

except by approved persons by the Ministry of Agriculture.

6.1.5. It is necessary to identify the treated sewage water pipes with different color or

any warning blasters.

6.1.6. The user of the treated sewage water should take the necessary action to prevent

creating swamps, or increase the insects and mosquitoes. When swamps

appeared, the user should apply the needed spraying and backfill this swamp

within three days.

6.1.7. On each irrigation system using the treated sewage water, and its transferring

networks, there should be fixed plates in certain places identified by the concerned

authority, and the following text should be written in these plates:

“Warning – Treated sewage water – Only for irrigation Purposes”

6.2. Using the treated sewage water for unlimited irrigation purposes:

The treated sewage water used for unlimited irrigation purposes should meet the

standards of the sewage with triple treatment as per the table No. 3 and table No.

5 in this regulation.

6.3. Using the treated sewage water for limited irrigation purposes:

6.3.1. The treated sewage water used for limited irrigation purposes should meet the

standards of the sewage with dual treatment as per the table No. 4 and table No.

4 in this regulation.

6.3.2. The fields irrigated by the treated sewage water for limited purposes should be

completely separated from the potable wells and tanks. (The minimum distance is

50 M).

6.3.3. If the user want to use the treated sewage water for crops which need more quality

treated sewage water, then he need to construct his own private treatment plant,

on his own expenses. However, the following condition will be applied:

6.3.3.1. Obtaining the Ministry of Agriculture permit

6.3.3.2. The quality of the treated water should meet the needed standards for the

unlimited irrigation.

6.3.3.3. The treatment unit owner should perform on his own expenses the needed

analysis for the quality of water in one of the approved labs of the Ministry of

Agriculture. Keeping a record of the water quality for reviewing purposes upon

request.

6.3.3.4. The Ministry of Agriculture is allowed to take certain sample from this treatment

unit and keep them for their analysis to make sure they are matching the needed

standards.

6.3.4. If the user want to use the wells water to irrigate the vegetable crops inside his

farms which is using the treated sewage water for limited purposes, he should

follow the following necessary procedures:

6.3.4.1. Getting the approval as per the Article No. 4-2-2 of this regulation

6.3.4.2. Separate the vegetable fields from the treated sewage water irrigated fields by

at least 15 M. In addition to locate agricultural drainage with proper deepness.

6.3.4.3. Locate special pipes to transfer the wells water to irrigate the vegetable fields,

and different pipes to transfer the treated sewage water for limited irrigation.

Keeping in mind no connection or link is allowed between the two kind of water.

6.3.4.4. It is not allowed for the treated sewage water pipes to bypass the vegetables

fields, whether these pipes are made of concrete or excavated in the soils. The

minimum distance between these pipes and the vegetable fields is 15 M.

6.3.4.5. It is not allowed to use the open canals (Pipes) to transfer the wells water or any

other unlimited irrigation water for the vegetables fields, if these pipes or canals

are bypassing or near the treated sewage water limited irrigated fields. . The

minimum distance between these pipes and the treated sewage water limited

irrigated fields is 15 M.

6.3.4.6. It is not allowed to locate output points for the treated sewage water (limited

purposes) in the vegetable fields.

6.3.5. I f there is any vegetable fields or Fruit tree near (60 M), it is not allowed to use

irrigation sprinklers for the crops fields when using the limited irrigation treated

sewage water.

6.3.6. When using the irrigation sprinklers, there should be 60 M minimum distance from

the public areas. Moreover, this way of irrigation should stop when there is wind.

7. Article No. 7 Use of Treated sewage water for Municipal Purposes 7.1. A permit must be obtained from the Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs

for using treated sewage water in irrigation of municipality landscaping.

7.2. The treated sewage water which allocated for irrigation of public landscaping,

parks, children playgrounds and other places visited by the public, shall be

treated with triple treatment and shall be matching with the standards set

forth in Table (3). However, irrigation of above mentioned places shall be at

other times not frequented by the public.

7.3. Treated sewage water water allocated to irrigation of green belts, road verge

and landscaping at places that not frequented by the public, should be treated

with bilateral treatment that matching with the standards set forth in Table (2).

7.4. The triple – treatment for TSE that matches the standards set forth in Table (3),

can be used in feeding flush tanks, washing of streets, Sidewalks and

firefighting after obtaining approval from the Ministry of Water and Electricity.

8. Article No. 8: Agricultural use of sewage sludge. 8.1. The treated sewage water sludge needed to use for agricultural purposes

should be first registered as per the agriculture fertilizers law issued by the

Royal Decree No. M/4 dated 08/02/1423, and the Ministerial Resolution No. 35

dated 02/02/1423.

8.2. Obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture to use the sludge for

agricultural purposes.

8.3. Doing the physical and chemical properties analysis to the soil of the farm,

before using the sludge. This analysis should be done in the approved labs.

Keeping in mind to perform the heavy chemical items analysis periodically.

8.4. The concentration ration of the heavy metals in the sludge should not exceed

the values stated in the table No. 6.

8.5. The concentration ration of the heavy metals in the soils after adding the

sludge should not exceed the values stated in the table No. 6.

8.6. The thermal treated sludge or equivalent is permitted for agricultural use with

no limits, provided that this sludge should be free from all bio contaminants like

salmonella, Fecal coliform..etc.

8.7. In the following cases. it is not allowed to use the traditionally treated sludge

which meet the values stated in the table No.7:

8.7.1. In the soils during the vegetables growth or harvesting the fruits which

grow near the ground.

8.7.2. During the six month before fruit and vegetables harvesting which grow

on the ground and could be eaten raw.

8.7.3. In the soils which has less than 7 PH. It is also not allowed for

shepherding or harvesting within 3 months of distributing the sludge.

8.8. If the values stated in the table No. 7 are exceeded, the following conditions

will be applied:

8.8.1. The period of public visit should not be less than 9 months starts from

the sludge distributing. (Public parks, gardens, play areas…etc).

8.8.2. For the fruit trees, the sludge should be distributed at least one month

before the harvesting

8.8.3. It is not allowed to plan any vegetable during the first 12 month of the

sludge distributing.

8.8.4. Roots crops are not allowed during the first 34 month of the sludge

distributing.

9. Article No.9: Using the Treated sewage water for fish farming

purposes. It is necessary to obtain the permit from the Agriculture Ministry to use the

Treated sewage water for fish farming purposes.

10. Article No.10: Using the Treated sewage water to inject inside the water

layers. It is necessary to obtain the permit from the Ministry of Water and Electricity to

inject inside the earth layers.

11. Article No.10: Using the Treated sewage water for industrial

Purposes: 11.1. It is necessary to obtain the permit from the Ministry of Industry and

Commerce for using the Treated sewage water for industrial Purposes.

11.2. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce will identify the type of treated

sewage water as per the purpose of use.

11.3. It is not allowed to use the treated sewage water in the food industrial

purposes.

12. Article No.12: Using the treated sewage water for entertainment

purposes: It is necessary to obtain the approval of the concerned authority to use the

treated sewage water for the entertainment purposes.

13. Article No. 13: The Irrigation Systems: Without prejudice of the general conditions described in the Article No. 5-1, the

user has to choose the proper technique of irrigation as per the following:

13.1. The unlimited irrigation: it is allowed to use all irrigation techniques.

13.2. The limited irrigation: will be used as follow:

13.2.1. The Fruit Trees:

13.2.1.1. Drip irrigation.

13.2.1.2. Irrigation by hoses

13.2.1.3. Side roll irrigation.

13.2.1.4. Subsurface irrigation

Keeping in mind to stop irrigation before one week of harvesting, and do not pick

the fruits on the grounds.

13.2.2. The fodders & Field Crops:

It is allowed to use all irrigation techniques, taking into account the followings:

13.2.2.1. Stop irrigation at least one week before the harvesting.

13.2.2.2. Shepherds are not allowed in the irrigated ares.

13.2.3. The Municipal landscaping:

13.2.3.1. Drip irrigation.

13.2.3.2. Irrigation by hoses

13.2.3.3. Side roll irrigation.

13.2.3.4. Subsurface irrigation

14. Article No. 14: The Treatment sewage plants: 14.1. The Private Treatment sewage plants

14.1.1. The government authority in charge of issuing permits to the big compounds, has

to forward the application requests to the Ministry of Water and Electricity to

identify if there’s need of constructing such plants.

14.1.2. The Ministry of Water & Electricity will set all specifications and conditions to

design the private treatment sewage plants, and issue the needed permits. The

treated sewage water should meet the standards.

14.1.3. Identify the treatment technique as per the purpose of use.

14.1.4. The owner has to operate their plants according to scientific and technical bases

and depending on the operation and maintenance manuals. Taking into

consideration to keep the quality of treatment and the produced sewage water.

In case the plant capacity is not enough, the owner has to expand its capacity

according to the Ministry of Water and Electricity instructions.

14.1.5. It is not allowed for the owner to transfer or sell the treated sewage water, unless

having the approval of the Ministry of Water and Electricity

14.1.6. The operating party of these plant has to perform periodic analysis on the treated

sewage water through the approved labs and make sure it meet the following

specifications:

14.1.6.1. BOD5, once a week

14.1.6.2. COD, once a week

14.1.6.3. TSS: once a week

14.1.6.4. TDS once a week

14.1.6.5. pH once a week

14.1.6.6. FC once a week

14.1.6.7. Eggs of intestinal worms: once a week

14.1.6.8. Heavy metals mentioned in the table No. 2&3: once a year.

14.1.7. The Ministry of Water & Electricity has the right to ask for any additional test or

analysis form the operating party.

14.1.8. The operating party has to keep the analysis records for these plant for one year.

14.2. The Public Sewage Treatment plant:

14.2.1. The operator has to perform all needed maintenance works to make sure it

produce treated sewage water as per the standards mentioned in this regulation.

14.2.2. The operator has to observe and take notes of the daily works in the plant and

record the necessary readings for the tools and equipment to observe their

working status.

14.2.3. The operating party of these plant has to perform periodic analysis on the

treated sewage water through the approved labs and make sure it meet the

following specifications:

14.2.3.1. BOD5, twice a week

14.2.3.2. COD: twice a week

14.2.3.3. TSS: twice a week

14.2.3.4. TDS: twice a week

14.2.3.5. pH: twice a week

14.2.3.6. FC: twice a week

14.2.3.7. NH3-N: once a week

14.2.3.8. NO3: once a week

14.2.3.9. FC: twice a week

14.2.3.10. Eggs of intestinal worms: once a week

14.2.3.11. 14.1.6.8. Heavy metals mentioned in the table No. 2&3: once every six months

Keeping in mind to repeat these test when needed.

14.2.4. Keep the plants records for 3 years at least, the effluent and lab result for the

sewage always, and keep the labs analysis at least for 5 years.

Third Chapter.

Characteristics and standards.

15. Article No. 15: the Characteristics and standards of the sewage

which enter the public network and the treatment plants: 15.1. The natural and chemical specification of the sewage which enter the public

network should meet the standards and values stated in the table No.1 here.

16. Article No. 16: The Characteristics and standards of using the

treated sewage water: 16.1. The Characteristics and standards of the dual treated sewage water usage:

The Characteristics and standards of the dual treated sewage water should

meet the standards and values stated in the table No. 2 here.

16.2. The Characteristics and standards of the triple treated sewage water usage:

The Characteristics and standards of the dual treated sewage water should

meet the standards and values stated in the table No. 3 here.

17. Article No. 17: Agricultural Usage of the treated sewage water:

17.1. Agricultural Usage of the treated sewage water for limited irrigation

purposes:

To use the dual treated sewage water in the limited irrigation purposes, all

specifications and standards mentioned in the table No. 2 should be taken into

account..

If the concentration percent of the total dissolved solids exceed the values

mentioned in table No. 4, the dual treated sewage water can not be used for

irrigation purposes unless mixed with less concentrated water, and used for

crops which can persist on salty zone.

If the percent of the total living eggs exceed the values mentioned in table No.

4, the dual treated sewage water can not be used for irrigation purposes unless

providing the necessary procedures to protect the workers and farmers.

17.2. Agricultural Usage of the treated sewage water for unlimited irrigation

purposes:

To use the triple treated sewage water in the unlimited irrigation purposes, all

specifications and standards mentioned in the table No. 3 should be taken into

account. As well as any other standards which the Ministry of Agriculture asks

for as per the table No. 5

If the concentration percent of the total dissolved solids exceed the values

mentioned in table No. 5, the dual treated sewage water can not be used for

irrigation purposes unless mixed with less concentrated water, and used for

crops which can persist on salty zone.

17.3. The standards of using the Aeration Tanks treated sewage water in limited

purposes irrigation. If the sewage was treated by the aeration tanks (Natural or

Mechanical), the treated water should be dealt with as the dual treated sewage

water except the maximum level of the BOD5, TSS and COD because it may

contain algae which caused the increase of these items concentration in the

treated sewage water. The resulted water may be used for the irrigation of the

fodders and crops fields.

18. Article No. 18 The standards and specification of using the sludge

for framing proposes: If the user want to use the sludge for farming purposes, it should be matching the

values and standards stated in the tables No. 6&7 here.

Fourth Chapter.

Control and Inspection.

19. Article No. 19: The Inspectors Duties: 19.1. The Ministry of Water and Electricity inspectors may enter any public service

property (Restaurants, car-washing workshops, hotels…etc.), to observe,

inspect and take samples of the drainage.

19.2. The Ministry of Water and Electricity inspectors have the right to collect all

information related to the industrial activities that have direct effects on the

quality and source of public sewage network drainage.

19.3. The Ministry of Water and Electricity inspectors can enter the private or

governmental residential compounds for inspecting and controlling purposes

of the sewage treatment plant inside these compounds. Whether these plants

are already constructed or still under construction.

19.4. The Ministry of Water and Electricity inspectors have the right to get all

information related to the private sewage treatment plant and to check all

documents related to the operating and maintenance.

19.5. The Ministry of Water and Electricity can take samples of the treated sewage

water produced by the private treatment plant.

19.6. The Ministry of Water and Electricity inspectors have the right to take samples

from the vacuum trucks use to transfer the liquid waste which is allowed to

drainage through the public sewage network. This is for analysis purpose and

will be done on output connection points to make sure they match the stated

standards.

19.7. The Ministry of Agriculture has the right to perform needed analysis for the

irrigated soils, crops, and plants which using the treated sewage water.

19.8. The Ministry of Agriculture has the right to check any exposed or buried pipes

(Tubes) or wells, when needed.

19.9. The Ministry of Agriculture inspectors has the right to enter any farms using

the treated sewage water, and the owner or his representative is not allowed

to prevent them.

19.10. The Ministry of Agriculture has the right to close any private treatment sewage

plant, if the produced water do not meet the stated standards and values.

Moreover, all crops and harvests of the farm using this sewage will be spoiled.

20. Article No. 20: Taking Samples and Performing needed analysis: 20.1. All standards, test and analysis related to the treated sewage water and

sludge specifications should be performed according to treated sewage water

standards which will be issued by SASO. Until then, Standard Methods for the

Examination of Water and Wastewater have to be applied.

20.2. All samples shall be taken properly on the end output connection points.

21. Article No. 21: The Safety Requirements For The farm laborers

working Any Site Which Uses the Treated sewage water. 21.1. The user of the treated sewage water used for limited irrigation purposes has to

apply the following safety procedures on the farm laborers:

21.1.1. Using proper gloves and long neck shoes to avoid touching the water.

21.1.2. Vaccination against cholera, typhoid, hepatitis type (a).

21.1.3. Performing annual medical check in the approved medical centers by the

Ministry.

21.1.4. Provide proper place to take rests and having food (with pure potable water).

Fifth Chapter.

Violations and Penalties

Without prejudice to the Articles Nos. 29, 30, 31 of the Treated sewage water Law, all violations

and penalties of the mentioned law and its regulations will be set according to the Articles Nos. 22,

23 and 24 of this regulation.

22. Article No. 22: Violations Control. 22.1. The violations will be set according to the procedures of the Public Utilities

Protection Law, which was approved by the Minister of Interior Resolution No.

94 dated 05/01/1407 H, and its circular note No. 62/5 dated 13/01/1407 and

its attachment No. 1.

22.2. The concerned authority will organize one or more committee to set and

control the violations. This committee will prepare violations minutes and

forward it to the Minister or his representative to approve and issue the

penalties (Fines)

23. Article No. 23: Penalties Estimation: 23.1. The violators has to pay the financial fine and rectify the mistakes as well as repair

its aftermath on his own expenses. On the other hand, he has to pledge not to

repeat the violation again.

23.2. The concerned authority while estimating the violations, has to consider the

following:

23.2.1. The value of the repairing and replace the original means. As well as the value

of removing the damages.

23.2.2. The value of the benefits which the violator has got through his violation

23.2.3. The value of the benefit, which the utility has lost, or the value of the damages

including the wasted water.

23.3. If the violator has not rectify the situation within the notice given to him by the

concerned authority, then this authority has the right to take all necessary

procedure to rectify the situation according to the terms and conditions of this

regulation. However, the violator is obligated to pay all expenses due to these

procedures, and any administrational costs determined by the authority.

23.4. The concerned authority has the right to estimate any violation not mentioned in

this regulation. The range of the estimation should not exceed the values of

other stated violation in the treated sewage water law, and should not exceed

the maximum values. However, the Minister approval of this estimation is

needed.

24. Article No.24: Identifying the Violations and Penalties: All Violations and Penalties will be set according to the table No. 8 of this

Regulation.

Sixth Chapter.

General Provisions.

25. Article No. 25: The Regulation Modification and detailing: The Minister of Water and Electricity is the only one who has the right to modify

or details any of this Regulation Articles, according to the public benefits. At the

same time, the coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of

Rural Affairs is needed for the Modification and taking any necessary actions.

26. Article No. 26: Final Provisions: 26.1. This Regulation replaces any requirement or specifications related to non-

treated sewage water, beside any other technical requirements for the Sewage

Treatment Plants in the big compounds (Private or Governmental), in addition to

any technical requirements for the use of the treated sewage water in irrigation

of municipality landscaping which was issued per the resolution No. 16820, dated

22/03/1423.

26.2. This regulation will be printed on the public official newspapers after 30 days of

issue.

26.3. Any suggested modification on this regulation will be considered after 5 years of

applying.

The Tables

Table No. 1: The standards and specifications of the sewage entering the sewage

public network and treatment plants: The standards and specifications of the sewage entering the sewage public network and

treatment plants:

Properties Max Pollution level mg/liter

Natural Properties Floated Material Nothing

TSS 600

pH 6-9

Temperature 50 c

Organic Chemical Properties BOD5 500

COD 1000

TOC 400

OIL & GREASE 100

PHENOL 5

DETERGENTS 15

PESTISIDES Nothing

Chemical Compounds Properties

Cl-2 1000

SO4 1000

Alkalinity as CaCO3 200

NH 3 –N 80

PO4 25

Chemical Properties As 0.1

Cr 1.2

Cn 0.05

Hg 0.05

Zn 2.6

Mn 5.0

Se 0.5

B 2.0

Cd 0.02

Cu 1.2

Pb 1.0

Ni 2.0

Ba 1.0

Mo 0.5

V 1.0

Table No. 2: Maximum Pollution Levels of Dual Treatment Sewage

Maximum Pollution Levels of Dual Treatment Sewage

Properties Max. Pollution Level

mg/liter

Natural Properties

Floating material No

Suspended solids TSS 40

PH 6-8.4

Organic Chemical Properties

Consumed bio-oxygen BOD5 40

Turbidity 5.00

Oil & Grease No

Phenol 0.002

Microbial Properties Number of fecal coliform bacilli 1000 Cell/100 Milliter

Nitrates NO3-N 10.00

Properties of Chemical

Compounds

Ammonia(NH3-N) 5.0

Aluminum Al 5.0

Chemical Properties

Arsenic As 0.1

Beryllium Be

Boron B

0.01

Cadmium Cd 0.01

Free chlorine Cl 2 0.05

Chrome Cr 0.1

Cobalt Co 0.05

Copper Cu 0.4

Fluoride F 1

Iron Fe 5.0

Lead Pb 0.1

Lithium Li 2.5

Manganese Mn 0.2

Mercury Hg 0.001

Moulibidnyom Mo 0.01

Nickel Ni 0.2

Selenium Se 0.2

Vanadium V 0.1

Zink Zn 4.0

- The Monthly average of BOD5 and TSS should not exceed 40 Mg/liters. The Number of fecal

coliform bacilli should not exceed 1000 cell/100 milliliter. None of the values stated in this

table shall be exceeded.

Table No. 3: Maximum Pollution Levels of Triple Treatment Sewage Maximum Pollution Levels of Triple Treatment Sewage

Properties

Max. Pollution Level

mg/liter

Natural Properties

Floating material Nil

Suspended solids TSS 10 (A)

PH 6-8.4

Organic Chemical Properties

Consumed bio-oxygen BOD5 10 (A)

Turbidity 5.00 unit

Oil & Grease Nil

Phenol 0.002

Microbial Properties Number of fecal coliform bacilli 2.2(B)(Nr./100ml)

Number of eggs of intestinal worms 1 alive egg(Nr./liter)

Properties of Chemical

Compounds

Nitrates NO3-N 10.0

Ammonia(NH3-N) 5.0

Chemical Properties

Aluminum Al 5.0

Arsenic As 0.1

Beryllium Be 0.1

Boron B 0.75 Cadmium Cd 0.01

Free chlorine Cl 2 (+)0.5

Chrome Cr 0.1

Cobalt Co 0.05

Copper Cu 0.4

Fluoride F 1

Iron Fe 5.0

Lead Pb 0.1

Lithium Li 2.5

Manganese Mn 0.2

Mercury Hg 0.001

Moulibidnyom Mo 0.01

Nickel Ni 0.2

Selenium Se 0.02

Vanadium V 0.1

Zink Zn 4.0

(A-1) The monthly average for each of TSS, BOD5 is not more than 10 mg / l. (A-2) The weekly average for each of TSS, BOD5 is not more than 15 mg/l. (B) The treated sewage water is disinfected to a non-contagious degree that is sufficient to be used in unrestricted irrigation, if the Maximum Potential Number MPN of bacillus fecal coliform is not above 2.2 for each 100 ml (or equivalent to other measurement methods) as determined by the microbial test results within one week. Also they shouldn’t be more than 23 for each 100 ml in any sample (or equivalent to other measurement methods). (+) Not less than 0.2 mg/l in case of the use of chlorine to disinfect.

Table No. 4 The Standards to use the treated sewage water for limited irrigation

purposes: Properties Maximum Permitted Level

TDS 2500

Number of fecal coliform bacilli 1 egg for each liter

Table No. 5 The Standards to use the treated sewage water for unlimited irrigation

purposes: Properties Maximum Permitted Level

TDS 2500

Table 6: The Chemical Standards to us the sludge for farming purposes: (chemical) element Element component

in the Sludge Atterberg limits

Critical Concentration Accumulative limit Annual limit

Pb 840 300 15

Hg 57 17 0.85

As 75 41 2

Zn 7500 2800 125

Se 100 100 5

Cd 85 39 109

Cr 3000 3000 150

Mo 75 - -

Cu 4300 1500 75

Ni 420 420 21

Table 7: The bio standards to use the sludge for farming purposes: Factor Max limits Unit

Salmonella 3 Number/4 Gram dry material

Number of fecal Coliform bacicli

1000 Number/1 Gram dry material

Number of intestinal worms eggs

1 1 egg/4 Gram dry material