RIYADH: The Saudi Water Authority has intensified its crackdown on non-compliant service providers, recording 1,646 violations and shutting down eight unlicensed filling stations following the expiry of a regulatory grace period.
The SWA said it conducted 5,556 inspection rounds across the Kingdom between April 1 and 12, after a March 31 deadline requiring operators of water-filling stations to regularize their status and secure licenses.
The campaign targeted non-networked water services, including tanker operations and filling stations, as a part of broader efforts to tighten oversight of the sector. Authorities said fines for operating without a license start at SR40,000 ($10,700).
At the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the authorities constantly conduct tests to ensure that no unsafe water makes its way into the holy site. (SPA file photo)
According to the authority, the enforcement measures aim to enhance service quality, ensure safe and reliable water delivery, and curb violations that could compromise public health or operational standards.
Despite the intensified inspections and closures, the authority emphasized that water supply has not been disrupted, citing the availability of approved alternatives to meet demand.
It added that inspection campaigns will continue, alongside regulatory action against violators, to ensure full compliance across the sector.
The authority also urged all service providers to adhere to established regulations and obtain the required permits to operate within the Kingdom’s approved legal framework.
