Water & Home Services in Saudi Arabia: How to Connect

Setting up a new home in Saudi Arabia means getting the essentials connected: water, wastewater, and electricity. The good news is that most of these services are now handled online through official government platforms, so you rarely need to visit an office in person. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through how each connection works, the documents you'll need, the channels to use, and what to expect regarding fees.

Connecting Water and Wastewater

Water and wastewater connections are requested through the National Water Company electronic branch. The process is straightforward once you have your property paperwork in order. After logging in, open the Requests section and select either a water connection or a wastewater connection.

• Upload your property deed and building permit.
• Optionally attach a land division document, bank authorization, and a location sketch.
• Accept the terms and submit the request.

Keep digital copies of all documents ready before you begin, as this makes the application smoother.

Activating Your Water Meter

Once construction is complete, the connection isn't automatically live — you need to activate it. Submit a water-connection activation request through the National Water Company electronic branch and upload your construction-completion certificate. This step confirms the property is ready to receive service and have its meter switched on.

What It Costs

The government water and sewage service itself is listed as free, but connection charges can vary depending on the property. The actual cost is calculated using the Saudi Water Authority's Water and Wastewater Connection Fee Calculator, so it's worth running your property details through it to get an accurate figure.

• For approved new developments where the developer has pre-installed the connection inside the property boundary, the beneficiary charge is SAR 1,000 per metre.
• Connection charges are a one-off matter separate from your ongoing water usage bills.

A recent change now allows developers to carry out water and wastewater connection links during the development stages of a property. This reduces repeated road excavation and can potentially lower the costs passed on to beneficiaries.

Water Services for Development Projects

If you're a developer rather than an individual homeowner, the workflow is different. Connection-point requests, design plans, requests to start implementation, and the handover of completed work are all processed electronically through the Etmam platform, which is technically linked with the National Water Company. This keeps larger projects organized through a single digital channel.

Connecting Electricity

For a permanent electricity connection, submit your request through the Saudi Electricity Company website, Balady, or MODON, depending on your situation. Before applying, make sure you have:

• A valid building permit.
• A coordination certificate showing meter locations, building loads, number of units, breaker capacity, and cable sizes.

Having these technical details prepared in advance avoids delays, since the connection is approved based on the meter capacity your property requires.

Understanding Electricity Fees

Initial electricity connection charges are capacity-based, meaning they depend on the approved meter capacity for your property. Published rates range from SAR 60 per kVA for meter capacities above 1 kVA up to 30 kVA, rising to SAR 175 per kVA for higher-capacity meters. The exact amount depends on the approved capacity and your specific connection requirements.

Remember that these one-time connection charges are entirely separate from the monthly consumption tariffs you'll pay for the electricity you actually use.

Logging In and Verifying Your Identity

Many of these electronic services require secure national digital login through Nafath, so it's a good idea to have it set up before you start any application. No fixed validity period was identified for water or electricity connection applications, but it's always wise to complete and follow up on your requests promptly.

Quick Checklist

• Set up Nafath for secure login.
• Gather your property deed, building permit, and construction-completion certificate.
• Apply for water and wastewater via the National Water Company electronic branch.
• Activate the water meter after construction with your completion certificate.
• Apply for electricity via the Saudi Electricity Company website, Balady, or MODON.
• Confirm exact fees using the official calculator and relevant portals.

Because fees and requirements can change and vary by property, always confirm the latest details on the relevant official Saudi government portal before submitting.

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