Water & Home Services in Saudi Arabia: How to Connect

Getting water and sewage service connected is one of the first practical steps when you move into a new home or complete a build in Saudi Arabia. The process is largely digital, follows a clear fee schedule, and is bound by service timelines and consumer protections. This Saudi Living guide walks you through how to request a connection, what it costs, how long it takes, and the rules that protect you if things are delayed.

How to request a connection

Water and sewage connections are requested through the government e-service known as the “Request for water and sewage connection.” Submitting the request itself is free, and it creates a dedicated property account you'll use to manage the connection and the meter installation from start to finish.

A few important points before you apply:

• Requests must be submitted through the official channels approved by your service provider — this keeps your account and property records valid.
• By law, homes and facilities must be connected to the official water and wastewater networks through authorized and legal procedures. Informal connections are not permitted.
• Keep your property documents ready, as the account is tied to the specific property.

What it costs

While the application is free, the connection itself carries fees based on property type and size. For residential properties up to 675 m², the current schedule is SAR 3,000 for water and SAR 5,000 for sewage. Larger residential properties increase progressively, and actual implementation costs are applied above 3,000 m².

• Non-residential properties: fees start at SAR 15,000 for water and SAR 20,000 for sewage for smaller properties, rising with size and adding application-review and implementation costs.
• Government-sector properties: start at SAR 15,000 for water and SAR 20,000 for sewage, adjusted by building area.
• Additional units: each extra building unit adds SAR 1,000 for both water and sewage.
• Meter charge: a developer meter fee of SAR 1,000 applies for meter installation, data registration, or both, under the approved regulatory procedure.

Because fees scale with area and property use, confirm the exact amount for your property on the official service portal before you pay.

How long it takes

Service timelines have been tightened. The maximum connection period has been reduced to 30 working days (down from 60), with an average completion time not exceeding 15 days. In most cases you should expect the meter to be live within a couple of weeks of paying your fees.

If your connection is delayed: the tanker option

There is a built-in protection if the provider is slow. If service is not delivered within 25 days of paying your fees, you can request a water tanker at a reduced rate of SAR 4 per cubic meter per tanker. This reduced rate keeps applying for each additional 15-day delay until your permanent connection is provided — so you're not left without water while you wait.

When water service cannot be cut off

Consumer protection rules restrict when water can be disconnected. Disconnection is prohibited during:

• Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr, and Eid Al-Adha
• National Day and Founding Day
• In Makkah and Madinah during the Hajj season, from Dhul Hijjah 1 to 20
• Any time you have a pending billing complaint

If you dispute a bill, raise the complaint through official channels — the pending complaint itself protects your service from being cut.

New developer connection rules

A recent change allows developers to build connection links during project development. When a developer performs the advance connection within the property boundary — in coordination with the service provider — the beneficiary connection cost is set at SAR 1,000 per meter. If you're buying into a newer development, ask whether the connection has already been prepared, as this can simplify your setup.

Practical tips before you apply

• Verify your property size and category up front, since fees are tied directly to both.
• Use only the official service portal and provider-approved channels to keep your account records clean.
• Save your payment confirmation and track the 25-day mark in case you need the tanker option.
• For any figure not shown in your account, confirm the current amount on the official Saudi government service portal before paying.

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