Royal Decree No. 29 of 2000 promulgating the Water Resources Protection Law.

This Royal Decree is composed of 4 articles and an attached Law. Article 2 states that the Minister of Water Resources shall issue the regulations and decisions necessary to implement the law. Until then the current regulations and conditions shall remain applicable in such a way they do not conflict with the provisions of this law.
The attached Law is made up of 8 Articles. Article 1 defines the words and expressions referred to in the Law. Article 2 declares water to be a national asset. The Ministry is to define certain water protection zones including prohibited activities within it. It is also to set regulations governing digging and maintenance of wells and use of their water, as well as the construction and use of aflaj (irrigation channels). Article 5 prohibits activities that adversely affect aquifers regardless of who owns the land in which the aquifer lies. No work is to be carried out that may alter aflaj routes without obtaining a permit from the Ministry. Under article 7, the Minister shall issue a decision fixing the fees payable by companies who need to obtain permits for well digging, maintenance, deepening or widening as well as replacement or installation of pumps or desalination units on such wells. Article 8 defines the punishment for those who violate the provisions of article 2 or 5. The penalty shall not exceed a fine of RO 2000 or a years’ imprisonment. Repeated offenders will receive double penalty.