Water & Home Services in Saudi Arabia: How to Connect

Setting up utilities is one of the first practical steps when you move into a home in Saudi Arabia. Water and sewage services here work differently from many other government transactions, so it helps to know exactly who to contact and what to expect. This Saudi Living guide walks you through the responsible authorities, the correct application channels, the connection rules, and the standard fees so you can get your property connected smoothly and avoid surprises.

Who provides water and sewage services

Drinking water and wastewater (sewage) network services in the Kingdom are delivered mainly by the National Water Company (NWC), with the sector supervised and regulated by the Saudi Water Authority (SWA). One important point to note: water and sewage services are not handled through the general government apps you may already use for other tasks, such as Absher, Muqeem, Qiwa, Najiz, Nafath, Tawakkalna, Balady, or Etimad. Instead, everything runs through NWC and SWA-specific channels.

The channels you'll actually use

There are a few dedicated ways to apply for and manage your water and sewage services:

• NWC electronic portal and mobile app — for retail (household) customers to request a water or sewage connection, view and pay bills, order water tankers, and raise complaints.
• SWA unified call center 19913 — for complaints, general inquiries, and regulatory issues.
• SWA digital platform for giga development projects — the dedicated route for large-scale developments to apply for water and sanitation services.

Connecting to the sewer network is mandatory

Once sewage (wastewater) service becomes available in your neighborhood, connecting to the network is a regulatory requirement, not an option. This rule exists to protect public health and the environment. Beneficiaries are notified when service becomes available through SMS, electronic alerts, call centers, and the service provider's website, so keep your contact details up to date on your account.

Financial charges for the sewer connection are calculated based on your property's classification, its area, and the connection diameter, in line with the relevant Council of Ministers decision. You can typically pay the amount in full or arrange installments, but this must be settled before the connection work is carried out.

Standard connection fees for homes

For residential properties, the published services guide sets clear flat fees for smaller buildings:

• Residential building with an area of 675 m² or less: water connection fee of 3,000 SAR and sewage connection fee of 5,000 SAR.
• Larger than 675 m²: fees increase progressively with the size of the property.
• Above 3,000 m²: instead of a flat fee, the actual implementation cost is applied.
• Extra residential units: an additional 1,000 SAR charged separately for each service — so 1,000 SAR for water and 1,000 SAR for sewage

Fees for non-residential and government properties

The structure is different for commercial and government buildings:

• Non-residential (small properties): water connection fees start at 15,000 SAR and sewage connection fees start at 20,000 SAR. Fees rise with building size, and actual implementation costs plus an application review fee may be added.
• Government sector: water connection starts at 15,000 SAR and sewage at 20,000 SAR, adjusted Large projects are charged based on actual costs, and extra unit fees do not apply.

A smarter option for developers

If you're a real estate developer, there's a practical route worth planning for early. Developers are allowed to install the connection links for water and wastewater networks during the property development stage, in coordination with the service provider. Doing this upfront avoids repeated excavation work later and helps lower overall costs.

Practical tips before you apply

• Have your property details ready: classification, area, and building information, as these determine your fees.
• Watch for official notifications by SMS and electronic alert when sewage service reaches your area, since connection then becomes mandatory.
• Decide in advance whether you'll pay in full or in installments — the balance must be cleared before work begins.
• For anything unclear, use the unified call center 19913 or your account on the NWC portal or app rather than general government platforms.

Always confirm the latest fees and requirements through the official NWC portal or app, or via SWA channels, before you commit — figures and procedures can be updated over time.

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