Water & Home Services in Saudi Arabia: Connection Guide

Setting up a home in Saudi Arabia means arranging your essential utilities, and water and wastewater are among the first services you will need. In this Saudi Living guide, we explain who provides these services, how to request a new connection, the standard timeframes you can expect, and the official connection fees for homes, businesses, and government properties. We also cover what to do if there are delays and how to escalate a complaint through the right channels.

Who provides water and wastewater services

Domestic water and wastewater services are mainly delivered by the National Water Company, while the Saudi Water Authority acts as the regulator that sets connection rules and standards. In some areas, a licensed operator may deliver the service instead, but the same regulated framework applies. Whatever the operator, the process and fees are approved by the regulator to keep them consistent across the Kingdom.

How to request a new connection

To get water or sewer service at a new property, you (or the property owner) submit a service connection request through the official channels announced by your service provider. These channels may include an online portal, a branch office, or a call center, depending on what the provider offers in your area.

• Prepare your property ownership or occupancy details and location information before applying.
• Submit the connection request through the provider's official channel.
• Pay the applicable connection fee once your request is accepted.
• For any inquiry or complaint, the unified support line 19913 operates 24/7.

Always confirm the exact application steps and any required documents directly with your service provider before you start.

How long connection takes

The regulator has set clear service timeframes to protect beneficiaries:

• The maximum period for a service connection is 30 working days (reduced from 60), with an average completion time of no more than 15 days from acceptance and payment.
• Service providers must handle beneficiary complaints within 10 working days.
• Escalated complaints must be resolved by the regulator within 5 working days.
• If your service is not delivered within 25 days after paying the fee, you can request a water tanker from the provider at a reduced rate.

Residential connection fees

For direct connection carried out by the provider, standard residential fees apply to buildings up to 675 m²:

• Water connection fee: 3,000 SAR.
• Sewage connection fee: 5,000 SAR.
• For larger properties, fees increase progressively with area; for properties above 3,000 m², actual implementation costs are charged.
• An additional 1,000 SAR per extra building unit applies to each unit for both water and sewage.

These figures are part of the updated services provision framework now in force. If your case involves large or unusual areas, ask the provider for a cost estimate before proceeding.

Non-residential and government fees

Commercial, industrial, and government connections follow a higher fee structure:

• Non-residential water connection fees start at 15,000 SAR, and sewage fees start at 20,000 SAR, increasing with building area, plus actual implementation costs and an application review fee.
• Government sector water fees start at 15,000 SAR and sewage fees at 20,000 SAR, adjusted by building area.
• For large-scale projects, actual costs are calculated without extra per-unit fees.

Developer-implemented connections

The rules also allow real estate developers to implement water and wastewater connection links inside the property boundary during the development stage, in coordination with the service provider. This means many newer homes and compounds may already have connections prepared, which can simplify activation for the eventual occupant. If you are moving into a new development, check with the developer or provider whether the internal links are already in place.

If you face a delay or a problem

Keep your payment receipt and application reference. If timeframes are exceeded, use your right to request a reduced-rate water tanker after 25 days, and raise a complaint through your provider. Unresolved issues can be escalated to the regulator via the unified line 19913. Because specific fees and steps can be updated over time, always verify the latest details on the relevant official Saudi portal before you apply.

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