The Saudi Water Authority has announced the commencement of the updated version of the water and sewage services guide, which includes a range of significant updates. One of the most notable updates is enabling beneficiaries to inspect water meters through a neutral and accredited third party, enhancing transparency in the services provided.
Additionally, the service connection period has been reduced to a maximum of 30 working days, down from 60 days, with an average completion time not exceeding 15 days. Furthermore, service providers are now required to address complaints within 10 working days, and at most 5 days with the authority.
Details of the Updates
The new amendments also include adjustments to the fees for service connections, which have been set based on the nature of residential categories. For instance, the fee for connecting water to buildings not exceeding 675 square meters is 3,000 Riyals, while the sewage connection fee is 5,000 Riyals, with additional incremental fees for larger areas.
For the non-residential sector, the amendments set the service connection fees starting from 15,000 Riyals for water services and 20,000 Riyals for sewage services for smaller areas, with gradual increases based on the building size.
Background & Context
These updates come as part of the authority's efforts to enhance fairness and empower beneficiaries with their rights. The fees have been adjusted to be more suitable for the nature of residential categories, as water and sewage connection fees have been determined based on the building area.
Moreover, an additional fee of 1,000 Riyals has been imposed for each additional building unit for both water and sewage services in the residential sector, reflecting a move towards more transparent and equitable regulation.
Impact & Consequences
The authority expects these updates to contribute to improving the quality of services provided to beneficiaries and reducing the waiting period for obtaining services. The requirement for service providers to address complaints within a specified timeframe reflects the authority's commitment to enhancing customer experience.
Additionally, the prohibition of water service disconnections during the months of Ramadan and national holidays demonstrates the authority's consideration of the social and economic circumstances of citizens.
Regional Significance
These updates are seen as a positive step towards improving infrastructure services in the Kingdom and may encourage other countries in the region to adopt similar models to enhance water and sewage services. Furthermore, enhancing transparency in service delivery may contribute to building trust between citizens and government entities.
In conclusion, these updates reflect the authority's direction towards more effective and transparent regulation in the water sector, contributing to the protection of beneficiaries' rights and improving the efficiency of service providers.