KSA

Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

PME Reference

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Environmental Standard

Drinking Water Quality

managed network refers to a distribution system

which is the responsibility of water-supply operator
serving private property.

Article I Preliminary

1)

g/l Microgram per litre (one millionth of a gram per

litre).

Definitions
aesthetic refers to those characteristics of water
which exhibit themselves physically including, but not
limited to, the odour, taste and colour.
blending point refers to a point at which water
originating from two or more sources is combined
and treated for the purpose of their supply.
branch refers to a network section within a
distribution network which supplies in excess of 5000
people and can be isolated for operational purposes.

the government
agency in-charge of environment-related
projects

Concerned Agency refers to

consumers tap refers to the point of use within the

consumers property (e.g. the kitchen tap).
contravention refers to a breach in a regulatory
requirement.
distribution network refers to any water supply
system providing drinking water to more than 10
private connections and that is provided by the water
supply operator provider.
domestic distribution system refers to the pipe
work, fittings and appliances which are installed
between the taps that are normally used for human
consumption and the distribution network only where
they are not the responsibility of the water supplier.
drinking water refers to water intended primarily
for human consumption, either directly, as supplied
from the tap, or indirectly, in beverages, ice or foods
prepared with water.
GER refers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabias
General Environmental Regulations.
LOAEL refers to the WHO health principle acronym
lowest observed adverse effect level at which an
adverse effect can be detected. These levels are
subject to the uncertainty criteria set out in the WHO
Drinking Water Guidelines 2004.

mg/l Milligram per litre (one thousandth of a gram

per litre)
NOAEL refers to the WHO health principle acronym
no observed adverse effect level.
parameter refers to a property, element or
organism listed in Appendix A with a prescribed
concentration or value.
PME refers to the Presidency of Meteorology and
Environment who are designated as the responsible
authority for the protection of the environment and
the development of environmental protection
standards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
potable water is a synonym for drinking water.
PPM Parts per million (defined as the mass of the
component in solution divided by the total mass of
6
the solution multiplied by 10 ).
private supplies refers to a borehole, well or other
water source utilised by less than 10 individual
connections and that is not provided for by the
statutory water operator. Private supplies include
internal networks within buildings, complexes,
facilities and sites.
public water supplies refers to all distributed
waters regulated by the water supply operator
excluding those supplies that are defined as private.
private water supply operator refers to operators
of public water supplies other than concerned
agencies.
raw water refers to seawater, water in a storage,
reservoirs, or underground sources prior to receiving
treatment.
safe refers to water that is: (a) free from any microorganisms and parasites and from any substances
which, in numbers or concentrations, constitute a
potential danger to human health; and (b) in
accordance with the minimum requirements set out
in Appendix A; and (c) free from any other substance
(other than parameters) 1.
1

Note: In developing guidelines for microbial hazard, per

capita daily consumption of 1 litre of un-boiled water was
assumed. In developing the standards for potentially
hazardous chemicals, a daily per capita consumption of 2

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

sampling point (a) in relation to water supplied

from a distribution network, means a point, for
example a consumer's tap, that is selected for
monitoring purposes; and (b) in relation to tankered
supplies, it refers to the outlet of the tanker where the
water is supplied.

3)

Timescales for implementation

3)
.

Timescales for implementation

a) The effective date of this standard is 01/05/1433H
corresponds to 24/03/2012G. The requirement to
comply with these standards will commence from the
effective date.

service reservoir refers to any storage capacity

within the distribution system greater than 1000 litres
and has a retention time of more than 4 hours.
small water supplies refers to supplies serving
less that 1000 population.

4)

treated water refers to water from distributors and

industry which has undergone some form of
treatment to modify the water quality.

5)

b) These standards do not address water used for

specialised purposes such as renal dialysis and
some industrial purposes where water of a higher
quality may be required.
c) The quality of drinking water shall be regulated up
to the point at which the distribution system enters
the boundary of a private property. The quality of
water should however be measured from the point of
use (e.g. a kitchen tap).

water supply operator refers to the Concerned

Agency made responsible to supply customers with
potable water under national law Operates public
water supply systems.

d) Where more than one agency manages the water

supply. Each individual agency will be responsible
for the quality of drinking water within and up to the
boundary of its network and the quality of drinking
waters arising from its actions.

WHO is the acronym for the World Health

Organisation.
WSP refers to the acronym for a Water Safety Plan.

e) These standards do not apply to private water

supplies on the condition that the volume of that
3
supply does not exceed 10m per day on an annual
average.

Citation
a) This document may be cited as the National
Ambient Water Quality Standard for KSA. This
standard revises the current General Standards for
the Environment (specifically document number
1409-01) issued by the Presidency of Meteorology
and Environment (PME).

litres by a person weighing 60 kg was generally assumed in

line with WHO recommendations.

Scope
a) With the exception of bottled or packaged water,
the standards shall apply to any water intended for
drinking irrespective of the source (municipal
supplies, rainwater tanks, boreholes etc) or where it
is consumed (including the home, restaurants,
camping areas, shops).

water quality is a measurable indicator of water

with regard to chemical, physical and biological
indicators.

2)

Purpose
a) These standards relate to the quality standards
stipulating the quality requirements of any drinking
water intended for human consumption. The aim of
these national drinking water standards is to ensure
that the consumer enjoys access to safe potable
water.

THMs refers to the acronym for Trihalomethanes.

water intended for human consumption Refers

to: (a) All water either in its original state or after
treatment, intended for drinking, cooking, food
preparation or other domestic purposes, regardless
of its origin and whether it is supplied from a
distribution network, from a tanker, or in bottles or
containers; and
(b) all water used in any food-production undertaking
for the manufacture, processing, preservation or
marketing of products or substances intended for
human consumption unless the competent national
authorities are satisfied that the quality of the water
cannot affect the wholesomeness of the foodstuff in
its finished form.

PME Reference

6)

Exemptions
a) Exemptions apply where there exist factors or
circumstances which make the enforcement of this
standard impracticable or inappropriate. Exemptions
in specified areas may be made by the Concerned
Agency who will determine where these exemptions
apply and which activities are included.

7)

Powers of authority

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b) As a minimum, the Competent Agency shall

undertake a periodic review of this standard every 5
years.

a) This framework enables the issue of regulations

and technical memoranda which are enforceable in
accordance with the General Environmental
Regulations.

c) Where new information suggests that adjustments

are required to this standard, all changes will be
subject to the appropriate consultation and will be
notified to facilities by the Competent Agency.
Appropriate implementation time will be allowed.

b) This standard includes provision for the exemption

of certain nationalised or religious activities (see
Article I (6)).
c) The Concerned Agency may at any time be
represented by a Designated Agency only where
permission to do so has been granted by the
Competent Agency.
d) The responsibility for compliance with the
standards specified in this document lies with the
water supply operator.

8)

Article II General Provisions

1)

Enforcement procedures

b) Microbiological integrity
The second priority is to protect the water supply from
any microbiological pollution and therefore protecting
human health.
c) Chemical integrity
Thirdly, chemical quality of the water supply must be
controlled to protect long-term human health impacts
from occurring.

b) It is anticipated that the requirements of this

standard will be enforced nationally with inspections
taking place to verify their implementation at a
regional and local level.

d) Aesthetic value
Finally, the consumers attitude towards acceptability
and the perception of risk associated with drinking
water quality will heighten aesthetic concerns where
the above priorities are addressed.

Penalty fines
a) Maximum fines that may be imposed for exceeding
the applicable standard, breach of permit and failure
to comply with an abatement notice are set out in the
General Environmental Regulations.

10)

2)

Appeals

b) The water supply operator shall take all measures

necessary to ensure that water intended for human
consumption within water supply zones is safe. For
the purposes of these regulations, safe is defined in
Article 1 (1).

b) The right of appeal against conviction or sentence

is available through the appropriate judicial system as
set out in the General Environmental Regulations.
c) All appeals should contain as a minimum, the
information required under the appeals process of
the General Environmental Regulations.

Provision of a safe water supply:

a) The public and private water supply operator shall,
prior to the beginning of each calendar year,
designate the names and zones within the area that it
intends to supply water for human consumption that
are to be its supply zones for that year.

a) A right of appeal exists for any organisation or

individual who is required to take action as a
consequence of the implementation of the revised
standard.

11)

Priorities for drinking water standards

a) Availability
b) Delegation
from the resp
The first priority is to ensure
that thereofispowers
a secure
supply of drinking water with regard to access to a
potable supply.

a) Failure to comply with the requirements of these

standards may lead to prosecution by the Competent
Agency and those convicted of such failure may be
subject to fines or periods of imprisonment as laid out
in the General Environmental Regulations.

9)

PME Reference

3)

Access to safe water supplies in urban areas

a) Urban areas are defined as those settlements
exceeding 1000 population.
b) All permanent inhabitants of urban areas will be
offered access to a safe water supply as defined by
these standards.

Periodic review
a) There may be some requirement at a future date to
adjust the standards included to recognise specific
local conditions

c) The public or private water supply operator shall

prepare a Water Safety Plan (WSP) that meets the
requirements set out in Appendix C.

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4)

Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

PME Reference

d) The WSP must be approved by the Concerned

Agency prior to commencement.

b) Parameters included in Appendix A determine the

acceptability of a water supply. Acceptability criteria
exist independently of health based standards.

Access to safe water supplies in rural areas

c) The acceptability standards in Appendix A are not

restricted to the specified parameters. Where
significant numbers complaints are received,
appropriate action must be taken to identify the issue
and implement resolutions where 6(a) above is
contravened by survey.

a) Rural areas are defined as those settlements with

less than 1000 permanent inhabitants. For such
communities it may not be possible to distribute
water through the public network.
b) Those communities not connected to the national
water supply network will be subject to a drinking
water quality risk assessment to be carried out by the
local municipality, their designated Agency or private
water operator. The method for the risk assessment
should be in accordance with World Health
Organisation Guidelines.

Article III Microbiological Criteria

1)

a) Appendix A sets out the enforceable standards for

the constitution of drinking water in KSA.

c) The risk assessment will identify source protection

zones where the water is supplied from groundwater,
surface water or coastal water sources.
d) Where the risk assessment shows significant risk
of contamination to drinking water supplies, the
municipality or private water supply operator should
take immediate and appropriate measures to secure
the safe supply of drinking water to the community.

Permitted microbiological criteria

b) The microbiological standards apply to all water

intended for human consumption.

2)

Microbial Indicators
a) Escherichia coli (E. coli) will be used as the
indicator for the presence of pathogens arising from
faecal contamination of a water supply.

e) The local municipality or private water supply

operator will also take responsibility for leading a
programme of preventative measures which achieve
multi-barrier protection of drinking water supplies.

b) Total coliforms are considered acceptable

indicators of the sanitary quality of water supplies.

f) The measures (b-e above) will be contained in and

detailed in the Water Safety Plan (WSP) which will
be prepared for each water resource utilised for
potable use in rural areas.

c) Any further microbiological indicators may be

agreed with the Concerned Agency based on an
assessment of local risk within the distribution
system and raw water sources.

g) A WSP should contain as a minimum, the

components identified in Appendix C.
Article IV Chemical Criteria
5)

Health based standards

1)
a) The majority of parametric standards set out in this
document are based on the threshold of acceptable
affects upon human health.
b) Health-based targets should be specified by the
Concerned Agency or designated body as the driver
for improved public health. The targets will be based
on health outcomes expressed as a reduction in
overall disease associated with drinking water
supply.
c) These targets must be appropriate to the culture
and operations of KSA and will vary between urban
and rural supplies until such a point that the level of
water quality protection is equal.

6)

Acceptability criteria
a) Water supplies must also be aesthetically
acceptable to the majority of customers.

Priority pollutants and indicators

a) The priority pollutants and indicators shall be
agreed with the Concerned Agency and in advance of
the implementation date for this standard.

2)

Permitted chemical criteria

a) The permitted concentrations for chemical
constituents of drinking water are specified in
Appendix A.

3)

Excluded parameters
a) The values included within Appendix A are, where
possible, defined by the health principle no observed
adverse effect level or NOAEL as defined by the
World Health Organisation. Where a NOAEL cannot
be applied then a lowest observed adverse effect
level or LOAEL is applied.

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

b) The LOAEL is the lowest observed level at which

an adverse effect can be detected. These levels are
subject to the uncertainty criteria set out in the WHO
Drinking Water Guidelines (latest edition2).

e) The national monitoring programme and any local

programmes must be approved by the Concerned
Agency prior to commencement.
f) Any breach of the parameter standards (Appendix
A), or significant changes in drinking water
characteristics
causing
significant
consumer
complaint, will result in full investigation of samples to
determine the significance of any change (using the
methodology provided in Article VIII).

c) Where collective understanding of exposure and

health risk develops, these standards will be adjusted
accordingly in order to maintain the priority
commitments set out in Article 2(1).

g) Samples collected should be representative of the

real quality of water consumed throughout the year.
This includes night time collection at point of
distribution and sampling during times of peak
demand or low flow.

Article V Sampling and monitoring

1)

Point of compliance
a) In the case of any water supplied from a
distribution network, the point of compliance is where
it emerges from the taps that are normally used for
human consumption.
b) In the case of water supplied from a tanker, the
point of compliance is where the water emerges from
the tanker.

2)

Sampling and monitoring programmes

a) Monitoring programmes for Drinking water quality
will be carried out by the Concerned Agency or
private water supply operator for Drinking Water
Quality. This monitoring is undertaken at point of
use.
b) The Concerned Agency or private water supply
operator shall monitor for compliance with the
parameters in Appendix A at the point of
compliance, as defined in (1).
c) The sampling frequency for each supply zone is
determined by the average volume of water being
distributed to that supply zone and shall be in
accordance with the specifications in appendix B.
d) Monitoring programmes will include as a minimum;
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)

PME Reference

sampling locations;
sampling methods and equipment;
schedules for sampling;
methods for quality assurance and validation
of sampling results;
requirements for checking and interpreting
results;
responsibilities and necessary qualifications
of sampling and laboratory staff;
requirements for documentation and
management of records;
data be recorded and stored; and
detailed requirements for reporting; and
communication of results.

h) All monitoring data will be retained for a period not

less than 7 years.

3)

Operational monitoring
a) Operational monitoring refers to monitoring of
water quality in the treatment process and leaving
the works prior to entering the distribution system.
b) Operational monitoring shall be continuous for
physico-chemical parameter indicators specified in
Appendix A on works serving more than 5,000
people or connections. It will be carried out by the
water supply operator or private water supply
operator and shall form part of the water safety plan
(WSP) as specified in Appendix C. Works serving
less than 5,000 people will have to agree a
monitoring schedule with the Concerned Agency.
d) Monitoring from treatment works must be carried
out for all characteristics specified in Appendix A of
this standard. The frequency of which will be in
accordance with the site specific WSP.
e) Monitoring of large raw water stores will be
conducted following any major likely changes in
volume, residence time or source.
f) All monitoring data will be retained for a period not
less than 7 years although the Concerned Agency
may specify a longer period under certain
circumstances.
g) Sampling points for supply to the distribution
system are accepted as;
i)
ii)
iii)

the outlet feed from a water treatment

works;
any blending point; and
water leaving any service reservoir.

h) Where a parameter has been exceeded within the

last two years but not more than twice in any six
month period, the monitoring frequency will be
deduced through a risk assessment of the source,
treatment and distribution system to be carried out by
the water supply operator.

rd

At the time of drafting this was the 3 edition (2004).

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

i) Where a parameter has not been exceeded for a

period of two full years the frequency stipulated may
be reduced accordingly.

6)

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Water quality monitoring in the distribution

system

Microbial indicators (total coliform)

pH
Turbidity
Disinfectant residual (where disinfection is
chlorine based)

b) Where chlorine is used for disinfection, byproducts must be sampled for on a regular basis.

a) Water supplied to consumers will be monitored for

all characteristics specified in Appendix A of this
standard.

c) Trihalomethanes (THMs) shall be the indicator for

pollution from chlorine-based disinfectants.

b) The frequency of monitoring will depend on a risk

assessment of the water source, treatment and
supply systems.

c) Where elevated or reduced levels of THMs are

found in any sample, other disinfection by-products
contained in Appendix A should also be analysed.

c) Except in relation to water supplied from a tanker,

sampling points for the distribution system in respect
of every parameter shall be selected at random.

d) Disinfection by-products should be sampled for as

close to the point of consumption as possible, usually
at a consumers tap for health assessment and at
points in the distribution system for treatment
performance.

d) All monitoring data will be retained for a period not

less than 7 years.

5)

Small water supplies

a) Will be routinely monitored ( monthly) for the
following parameters due to the high cost of full
monitoring.

j) Where a parameter has been exceeded more than

once in any six month period, the monitoring
frequency stipulated will increase at the discretion of
the Concerned Agency.

4)

PME Reference

Desalinated water
7)
a) Where water from saline or brackish sources is
treated using thermal processes, a public or private
water supply operator must have online monitoring
for the following water quality parameters at the point
of discharge to the distribution system:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)

Every 3 years, water supply operators must:

a) Identify as far as is practicable which pesticides
are used in the locality and assess if there are
significant volumes within the catchment area of
each raw water source. Particular attention should be
paid to pollutant pathways, particularly through
groundwater.

Disinfectant residuals
E coli or total coliform*
pH
Turbidity
nitrate (as NO3-)
COD and BOD5

b) Assess as far as is practicable on the basis of the

properties and method of application of these
pesticides, and local catchment knowledge, whether
any of these pesticides are likely to reach each water
source in the catchment area.

* Samples must be taken daily.

c) For taste and acceptability reasons, desalinated
water must meet the minimum values stipulated in
Appendix A for:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)

Pesticides

c) Take into account the results of any monitoring for

pesticides in water sources within the catchment
area carried out by the Concerned Agency.

Chlorine residual
pH
Calcium
Total hardness (as CaC03)
TDS
Magnesium

d) Engage newly discovered pesticides into the

monitoring programme until such a point that:
i)
ii)

d) The lack of multiple barrier protection associated

with desalinated water means that response and
intervention plans must be drawn up and agreed with
the Concerned Agency on a case by case basis.
d) Where blending of different waters takes place,
the distributed water potable as defined by this
standard.

8)

The pesticide has been deemed to present no

significant risk to human health; or
The pesticide is formally included within the
Drinking Water Standards at the next
timetabled revision.

Collection of samples
a) Any Concerned Agency , or water supply operator
shall secure, as far as is reasonably practical, that in
taking, handling, transporting, storing and analysing

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through the routine sampling programme or spot

checks, the Concerned Agency is empowered to
issue a boil water notice or specify other mitigating
actions to be taken by the consumer.

any sample required by Part VI of this standard, that

the appropriate requirements are satisfied:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

vi)
vii)

viii)

The sample is representative of the water

quality at the time of sampling;
The sample is not contaminated when being
taken;
The sample is stored at such a temperature
until analysis that there is no material
alteration of its characteristics;
The sample is analysed as soon as is
practicable following collection;
For a microbiological sample this should be
analysed as soon as is practicable and no
later than 6 hours following collection in
remote locations, portable testing kits must be
used.
The sample is analysed by competent staff
with access to appropriate tools and materials
according to standard methods.
The analytical testing methods for determining
compliance with the ambient water quality
standards shall be in accordance with the
most recent edition of the Standard Methods
for the Examination of Water and Waste Water
published by the American Pubic Health
Association (APHA).
A report of the sampling program that includes
information about: the type of sample, source,
location, in which stage of treatment process,
the parameters which should the sample
analysed for, conservation method and
chemicals used (e.g. Acids), sampling type
and sampler name.

b) Under these circumstances, potentially affected

customers may be contacted with information
regarding the quality of expected water supplies and
any future actions required.

Article VII Records and provision of information

1)

i)
ii)

the name of the zone;

the name of every water treatment works,
service reservoir and other supply point from
which water is supplied to premises within the
zone;
iii) an estimate of the population of the zone;
iv) all required monitoring data for a minimum
period of 7 years
v) particulars of the action taken or required to be
taken by the water supply operator to comply
with any such other particulars as the
Concerned Agency may determine.

Article VI Emergency conditions and procedures

Provision of information
a) A water supply operator shall make available for
inspection by the public free of charge at least one of
its offices any relevant record maintained.

Identification of risk of contamination

b) A private water supply operator shall provide
access to monitoring data on request by the head of
any domestic property connected to the water
supply. Access shall be free of charge.

a) In the first instance that a public or private water

supply operator has reasonable grounds for believing
that any element, agent or substance, other than
residual disinfectant or a parameter, whether alone or
in combination with a parameter or any other element,
organism or substance, may cause the supply within
any of its water supply zones to be a supply which
does not satisfy;
i)
ii)

c) A water supply operator shall afford to any person

facilities to take or obtain a relevant copy of any part
of a record maintained:
vi) in the case of information relating to that zone,
free of charge if the person receives a supply
of water in the zone;
vii) in any other case, on payment of such
reasonable charge as the undertaker may
determine.

prescribed limits and values in Appendix A, or

If there is any other reason to suggest that the
supply may not be safe;

it shall take, or cause to be taken, sufficient samples

from water within that zone (whether from a service
reservoir, a treatment works or otherwise) in respect
of that element, agent or substance, in order to
establish whether that water can be considered safe.

Article VIII investigation by the Competent Agency

1)

2)

Records and Documents

a) A public or private water supply shall prepare and
maintain, in respect of each of its water supply
zones, a record containing;

2)

1)

PME Reference

Boil water notices and consumer communication

a)
In
circumstances
where
bacteriological
contamination is detected in the network either

Circumstances of investigation
a) Where a public or private water supply operator
has reason to believe that water supplied by it:

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i)

fails, or is likely to fail, to satisfy a

requirements of Appendix A; or
is to be regarded as unsafe in any other
way

ii)

the public or private water supply operator shall

immediately take such steps as are necessary to
identify the matters specified in (b) below:
b) The matters referred to in (1) above include:
i)

PME Reference

to inform them of the nature of the failure and provide

details of the steps (if any) that, in the opinion of the
water supply operator, it is necessary or desirable for
those consumers to take in the interests of their
health.
b) The public or private water supply operator must
then send a copy of that notice to the Concerned
Agency and to each appropriate municipality.

The cause and extent of the failure or,

as the case may be, the apprehended
failure;
the Appendix A parameters in respect of
which the prescribed concentration or
value has not been, or is unlikely to be,
achieved; and

ii)

iii)
in relation to each parameter so
identified, whether the failure, or
apprehended failure, to achieve the
prescribed concentration or value is
attributable;

to the domestic distribution

system;
to the maintenance of that system;
or
to neither of those matters.

c) As soon as may be after the matters specified in

paragraph (b) have been identified, the water supply
operator shall notify the Concerned Agency;
i)
ii)

of those matters;
in relation to each parameter
identified, whether it is the opinion of
the public or private water supply
operator that a failure in respect of
that parameter is likely to recur; and

iii)
of the action (if any) taken by the
pubic or private water supply operator
in relation to a failure which is
attributable
to
the
domestic
distribution
system
or
the
maintenance of that system.

2)

Notification
a) Where the public or private water supply operator
has identified a failure attributable to the domestic
distribution system or to the maintenance of that
system, it shall, at the same time as notification is
given communicate by notice in writing to those of its
consumers;
i)

to whom it supplies water for; and

ii)

those who are likely to be affected by the

failure,

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PME Reference

Appendix A3 Prescribed concentrations and values

Parameter

Units

Value (Health)

Value (Acceptability)

Indicator

Physical chemistry
pH
Colour
Conductivity
Taste and Odour

pH units

No health criteria specified

6.5 -8

Hazen units

No health criteria specified

15

S/cm at
o
20 C

2,500

n/a

No health criteria specified

mg/l

TDS

Yes
Unobjectionable

Yes

1500

Turbidity

NTU

Gross Alpha activity

Bq/l

0.1

Bq/l

Gross beta activity

Yes

Yes

mSv/

0.1

mg/l

300

No health criteria specified

mg/l

50

Yes

mg/l

Yes

Acrylimade

g/l

0.5

Alachlor

g/l

20

Aldicarb

g/l

10

Aldrin and Dieldrin

g/l

0.03

Aluminium

g/l

Antimony

g/l

20

Million
fibres/L
g/l

Radioactivity (excl. pottassium-40)

CaCO3
DO
3

Nitrate (as NO )
2

Nitrite (as NO )

(annual RDL5)

>85

Organic and inorganic chemical pollutants

Asbestos
Arsenic

200

10

Atrizine

g/l

Barium

g/l

700

Benzene

g/l
g/l

200
10

Benzo(a)pyrene

g/l

0.01

Boron

g/l

1000

Bromate

g/l

10

Beryllium

rd

Adapted from WHO Drinking Water Quality Guidelines 3 Edition 2004 using benchmark data
Is a measure of the effective dose of radiation the body may receive from drinking water. RDL is only measured if the screening values for
gross alpha or beta activity are exceeded (see above). Radiation exposure from drinking water is very small against background contributions.
5
Reference Dose Level (RDL)
4

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

PME Reference

Bromodichloromethane (BDCM)

g/l

60

Bromoform

g/l

100

Cadmium

g/l

Carbofurans

g/l

Carbon Tetrachloride

g/l

Chloral Hydrate

g/l

10

Chlordane

g/l

0.2

Chlorate

g/l

700

Chlorine residual

g/l

500

Chloride

g/l

No health criteria specified

Chlorite

g/l

700

Chlorophenol (2,4,6,T)

g/l

200

Chloroform

g/l

200

Chromium

g/l

50

Copper

mg/l

Cyanide

g/l

70

g/l

g/l

30

DDT and Metabolites

g/l

Dibromoacetonitrile

g/l

70

Dibromochloromethane (DBCM)

g/l

100

Dibromo-3-chloropropane 1,2 (DBCP)

g/l

Dibromoethane 1,2

g/l

0.4

Dichloroacetonitrile

g/l

20

Dichlorobenzene, 1,2-

g/l

1000

Dichlorobenzene, 1,4-

g/l

300

Dichloroethane, 1,2-

g/l

30

Dichloroethene, 1,1-

g/l

30

Dichloroethene, 1,2-

g/l

50

Dichloromethane

g/l

20

Dichloropropane 1,2 (1,2-DCP)

g/l

40

Dichloropropene 1,3

g/l

20

Dichlorprop (2,4 DP)

g/l

100

Edetic acid (EDTA)

g/l

600

Endrin

g/l

0.6

Ethylbenzene

g/l

300

Fenoprop (2,4,5 T)

g/l

Fluoride

g/l

1500

Cynazine

250,000

2,4 -D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid)

Formaldehyde
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
6

g/l
g/l

0.01

60
900

Applies to free acid

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD)

g/l

0.6

Isoproturon

g/l

Iron

g/l

Lead

g/l

10

Lindane

g/l

Manganese

g/l

Mercury (inorganic)

g/l

Methoxychlor

g/l

200

Metolachlor

g/l

10

Microcystin-LR

g/l

Molybdenum

g/l

70

Monochloramine

g/l

3000

MTBE

g/l

No health criteria specified

Nickel

g/l

20

PAH (sum total)

g/l

0.1

Pentachlorophenol (PCP)

g/l

Pesticides (total)

g/l

0.5

Selenium

g/l

10

Sodium

g/l

No health criteria specified

Styrene

g/l

20

Sulphate

g/l

500,000

Tetrachloroethene

g/l

40

Toluene

g/l

700

TCBs (Total)

g/l

No health criteria specified

Trihalomethanes (THM total)

g/l

100

Trichloroethene, 1,1,1

g/l

70

Uranium

g/l

15

Vinyl chloride

g/l

0.3

Xylenes

g/l

500

Zinc

g/l

No health criteria specified

PME Reference

300

400

15

200,000

250,000

3000

Microbial
cryptosporidium

Count/100ml

E. Coli

Count/100ml

Yes

Total Coliform bacteria

Count/100ml

Yes

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

PME Reference

Appendix B Monitoring

Table B-1 The minimum frequency of sampling and analyses for water intended for human consumption supplied from a distribution network or
from a tanker. Samples are taken at the point of compliance, defined by Part VI, clause (1).

Volume of water distributed or

produced each day within a
3
supply zone (m )

Number of samples per month

[for indicators]

Number of samples per month

[for non-indicators]

100

> 100 1 000

1
1
3
+ 1 for each additional 3,300 m /d

> 1 000 10 000

> 10 000 100 000

4
3
+ 3 for each additional 1000 m /d

3
3
+ 1 for each additional 10,000 m /d
10
3
+ 1 for each additional 25,000 m /d

> 100 000

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

PME Reference

Appendix C Water Safety Plans (WSPs)

vii) Corrective and preventive actions
Any monitoring that shows operation outside of
operational limits must be addressed in two ways.
Firstly any emergency action must be taken as
defined by the water operator. Secondly corrective
actions must be implemented to prevent future
occurrences and documented accordingly.

(1) Water distributed through a managed network

a) The WSP should be used to guide operational
procedures and controls in order to protect the
distribution system from contamination.
b) The following components shall be included in a
water operators WSP:

i) Roles and responsibilities

Clear roles and responsibilities must be defined
between
water
supply
operators,
local
municipalities and other stakeholders. These
should be collectively agreed and documented in
the WSP.
ii) Mapping the supply
A documented water supply system schematic will
be produced that will enable the identification of
hazards and risks. The mapping must follow water
from source to tap including treatment and
distribution systems.

viii) Verification, audit and management review

The water operator must define (or refer to where
comprehensive controls are already in place)
verification and validation activities and document
outputs of these activities. Management review must
take place annually and after significant system
failures.

(2) Water supplies in rural communities or without a

managed network
a) The Concerned Agency for drinking water supply
shall provide generic templates for consideration in
the following supply circumstances:
-

iii) Hazard assessment

A hazard and risk assessment must then be
performed on the available information identifying
priorities for action in light of associated causes of
risk and severity of impacts. The scope of this
assessment will include biological, chemical,
physical and radiological hazards. The priorities
should be documented in a matrix that describes
hazardous properties.
iv) Determination of control measures
This section should outline control measures for
catchment protection, treatment and distribution in
line with wider operational programmes. In most
circumstances, this should not form the sole
operational procedures. All hazards identified in
(iii) above must have control measures assigned
to them which mitigate the level of risk to an
acceptable level as defined by the Concerned
Agency.
v) Setting critical operational limits
Operational limits must manage water resources
and quality in such a way that critical water quality
standards are achieved. These are set out in
Appendix A of the Drinking Water Standards for
Saudi Arabia. The operational limits will be
defined by the water operator but referenced in
the WSP.
vi) Monitoring programmes
Individual monitoring plans will be, as a minimum
compliant the guidelines stipulated in Article VI (3)
to (8) of this standard.

Community managed distribution system

Protected springs not connected to a
distribution network
Boreholes fitted with hand pumps
Mechanised boreholes
Dug wells

b) In all circumstances, the WSP for rural

communities shall contain the following information:
i) System assessment
The water supply system should be documented
and understood so that hazards and pollutant
pathways can be identified
This process will then identify hazards and will
include documented information regarding the
cause of the hazard and level of risk associated
with each identifiable hazard
Individual control measures must then be
identified to mitigate those hazards
-

ii) Operational controls and monitoring

Operational targets should be defined that
formalise the mitigation identified
Standard monitoring requirements will be
undertaken in accordance with the Drinking Water
Standards for Saudi Arabia
-

iii) Corrective and preventative action and management

options
Corrective actions and incident response plans
will be developed and documented in accordance

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

with the Drinking Water Standards for Saudi

Arabia
Records of the WSP including all hazard
identification,
operational
controls
and
management, corrective and preventative actions
will be kept for a minimum period of 10 years

PME Reference

Inspection by the Concerned Agency with verify

this information in accordance with its inspection
protocols.

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