Law No. 23 of 2025 concerning water.

This Law, comprising 90 articles, aims to (i) manage, develop, and rationalize the exploitation and use of water resources; (ii) protect them from depletion, waste, or pollution; (iii) improve the efficiency of water services and their uses; (iv) ensure their quality and the proper maintenance and operation of water facilities. This shall be achieved through taking the necessary measures to ensure water security, in accordance with the sustainable water procedures, policies, and strategies approved by the Standing Committee for Water Resources. Specifically, the competent administrative authorities are tasked with (i) regulating water resource procedures and monitoring their quantity, quality, distribution, and use; (ii) creating and maintaining a water resources database linked to geographic information systems, accessible to relevant authorities and the public when needed; (iii) applying advanced technologies to control water distribution according to established standards; (iv) developing operational and development programs to improve efficiency and performance; (v) implementing integrated management systems to ensure coordination and optimal, sustainable use of water resources; (vi) involving beneficiaries in all stages of water resource development and protection; (vii) raising public awareness about water conservation and providing guidance on efficient use; (viii) implementing approved plans and supporting research to promote suitable technologies for sustainable development; (ix) applying water quota systems to rationalize consumption; (x) encouraging institutions that adopt water-saving practices; (xi) conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance with water use standards. Under Article 3 it is set a system to register and accredit water service consultants and companies. No entity may operate without approval, and all approved parties are subject to ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance. Applications for water service licenses must be submitted to the competent authority using the designated form, along with required documents and fees, and licensees must manage water resources responsibly, avoiding harm and preventing depletion, waste, and pollution. In particular, the licensee using water resources for irrigation must follow modern irrigation methods and technologies that limit their depletion or waste in any way.
To protect water resources, Article 7 prohibits (i) introducing toxic, hazardous, flammable, radioactive, chemical, or biological substances into water in ways that may impact public health; (ii) polluting water resources or their surroundings by any means; (iii) causing direct or indirect harm to public health. It also requires a permit from the competent authority to increase water extraction, consumption, discharge, or return to the environment. To protect infrastructure networks, Article 9 prohibits constructing buildings, placing obstacles, or planting trees in ways that may compromise the integrity of water transmission, distribution, and wastewater networks, as well as any related infrastructure.
Chapter 3 regulates groundwater use and protection through a strict licensing and oversight system. Most activities require prior approval and must follow technical and environmental standards. It sets rules for well spacing, operation, and contractor responsibilities, while limiting extraction, use, and trade. It also prohibits activities that may harm groundwater or protected areas, enforces pollution controls, and promotes sustainable practices like recharge. Unauthorized wells become state property, and all wells must be registered. Authorities are empowered to monitor, enforce compliance, and restrict groundwater use to prevent depletion and ensure sustainability.
Chapter 4 regulates desalinated water as a primary drinking water source under strict oversight, to ensure it is safely produced, closely monitored, and preserved as a high-quality drinking water resource, requiring official permits for establishing and operating desalination plants, bottled water and ice factories, and for certain industrial and construction uses. It imposes strong environmental obligations on operators, including safe waste disposal, continuous quality monitoring, pollution prevention, and compliance with inspection requirements. In addition, it governs transport and distribution systems - such as pipelines, tankers, and bottled water networks - requiring adherence to approved standards, maintenance of water quality, prevention of leakage, and regular regulatory inspections. The use of desalinated water is tightly restricted, with non-drinking applications like cooling or irrigation allowed only under special authorization.
Chapter 6 regulates treated wastewater under strict licensing, technical, and environmental controls to ensure safe handling and protection of public health and the environment. It requires that standards and permitted uses be defined by regulation, and prohibits establishing treatment facilities, connecting or modifying sewage and treated water networks, or discharging wastewater into them without official authorization. It also sets technical requirements for designing private sewage systems and ensures that wastewater meets approved standards before discharge, while requiring permits for transporting liquid waste. The direct use of treated wastewater is generally prohibited unless specifically authorized, and sludge may only be used under regulated conditions that protect the environment and public health. While Chapter 7 regulates industrial wastewater through strict licensing, design, and environmental controls to prevent pollution and protect public health. It requires regulatory approval for treatment facilities, network connections, and any discharge into public systems or the environment, and mandates that wastewater meet approved standards before release. Dilution is prohibited as a substitute for proper treatment. Facilities must control pollution at the source and obtain permits for transporting or managing treated wastewater and sludge.
Chapter 8 establishes emergency management requirements to ensure water security during crises such as water supply interruptions or shutdowns of treatment and desalination plants. It obliges the competent authority to develop detailed emergency plans and sets a general emergency water security plan prioritizing drinking water supply and regulates how wastewater may be safely discharged during emergencies. Facilities in certain sectors must prepare emergency storage systems for wastewater, and in extreme cases, groundwater sources may be temporarily used for human consumption under strict controls. Chapter 10 sets out the sanctions and enforcement measures.