Fine for Digging a Well Without a License
Abaar Group Reports According to “Al-Yawm Al-Sabea Newspaper”
Fine for digging a well without a license can reach up to 200,000 pounds without obtaining or contracting for it
The executive regulations of the Water Resources and Irrigation Law, issued under Law No. 147 of 2021
will be officially published in the coming days
following the approval of the Cabinet on the draft resolution by the Prime Minister regarding its issuance.
The regulations consist of 10 sections, including 169 articles
in addition to the introductory provisions. They cover various aspects related to water resources
public properties, private activities related to water resources, as well as the procedures and documents required to obtain licenses for such activities conducted on public properties.
They also include general technical and regulatory requirements that licensed individuals must adhere to.
Another section focuses on provisions related to groundwater.
The regulations explicitly state that drilling shallow or deep groundwater wells within the territory of the republic, for any purpose of exploitation, is prohibited without a license from the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, in accordance with the specified conditions.
This section establishes procedures and requirements for obtaining licenses for well drilling.
According to the law, it is prohibited for contractors, companies, and individuals involved in drilling groundwater wells to undertake any drilling activities without obtaining the necessary license from the ministry.
This regulation applies without conflicting with Law No. 143 of 1981 concerning desert lands. Violators will be subject to fines ranging from 20,000 to 200,000, which will be multiplied in case of repeated offenses. Additionally, the machinery and equipment used will be confiscated.
Furthermore, a high committee will be formed to review applications for licenses or regularization of well drilling, consisting of representatives from relevant authorities holding high positions. The Prime Minister will issue a decision to form the committee, determine its working system, define its jurisdictionand the committee’s recommendations will be submitted to the minister for approval. The minister’s approval is binding on other entities.
The ministry will also conduct the necessary technical studies to identify groundwater sources at the national level, determine and classify these sources, establish policies for the development and utilization of groundwater, establish regulations for its use and protection, monitor its quantity and quality.
After the approval of the high committee’s recommendation
the ministry has the right to accept or reject any request to modify the licensed purpose of well exploitation or change the extraction rates based on the conditions and potentials of the aquifer in the specified area.
In case the ownership of the land where the well is located is transferred to a new owner
the relevant authority responsible for land sales must be notified, and the license must be endorsed accordingly.
Otherwise, the previous owner remains responsible
along with the new owner, for implementing the provisions of this law.
This information has been reported by “Al-Yawm Al-Sabea newspaper”.
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