KSA

Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

PME Reference

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Environmental Standard

Ambient Water Quality

Article I Preliminary

1)

Definitions

indicator refers to a property of water, whether

chemical, physical or biological for which a value is
determined as set out within these Standards.

acutely toxic describes the adverse effects

resulting from a single exposure to a substance.

KSA Refers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

mixing zone shall refer to a defined area of water
directly adjacent to an area for discharging
contaminants where the receiving water quality
standards may be exceeded and such and area is
determined pursuant to Article II (6).

aesthetic refers to those characteristics of water

which exhibit themselves physically, including but
not limited to, the odour, taste and colour.
assimilative capacity Refers to the ability of a
water body to receive a pollutant(s) and still meet
water quality standards.

national monitoring programme refers to the

national ambient monitoring activities of the
Competent Agency now or in the future.

background
conditions
shall
refer
to
background levels of pollutants in the environment
due only to non-anthropogenic sources, i.e., natural
sources.

natural causes shall refer to natural events that

result in degraded water quality, these may include
storms, earthquakes and naturally occurring algal
blooms.

Best Available Techniques (BAT) refers to the

most effective and advanced developments in
technologies and methods of operation generally
utilised to reduce emissions and the impact on the
environment as a whole.

operator The owner or nominated manager of a

business, industrial enterprise or wastewater
treatment works.
PME Refers to the Presidency of Meteorology and
Environment who are designated as the competent
agency for the protection of the environment and
the development of environmental protection
standards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Competent Agency is the appointed body that

will regulate and enforce these environmental
standards, in most cases this will be PME.
due diligence in this context is the effort made by
an ordinarily prudent or reasonable party to avoid
harm to the environment, another party or himself.

Sites of Significant Economic Importance

(SSEI) refers to areas, zones or localities that only
upon the agreement of the Competent Agency,
may extend their horizontal mixing zone to meet
economic criteria.

Concerned Agency the government agency in

charge of environment-related projects.
contravention refers to an actual breach or
exceedance in a regulatory requirement meaning
the failure to comply with the terms set out in this
document.

waterbody shall refer to bodies of water as

defined with Appendix A.
Water Quality Objectives (WQO) This refers to a
set of environmental criteria pertaining to the
required quality of a water body for its designated
use.

facility shall refer to any site installation or

activity that has the potential to cause
environmental pollution or degradation.
GER Refers
Regulations.

to the

General Environmental

groundwater refers to water from aquifers or

other underground sources.

2)

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).

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3)
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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

areas lined with materials

which are impervious to
water (e.g. septic tank)

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.

3)

b) The ambient Standards introduce a baseline

standard of water quality which aims to protect the
Kingdoms water supply and natural aquatic
environment whilst allowing for sustainable economic
and social development.

Powers of Authority
a) Within the scope of these standards the
Competent Agency may:
i)

Prescribe specific requirements as to the

substances
and
concentrations
of
substances that may be present in or
absent from water within the Kingdom;

ii)

prescribe specific requirements at any time

as to other characteristics of water quality;

iii)

authorize such relaxations or departures

from, the water quality standards and make
any such authorisation subject to the
prescribed conditions, and to modify or
revoke any such authorisation or condition;
and

c) These standards shall provide a basis for the

restoration of waters used for recreational,
agricultural, industrial, potable and ecological
purposes.

iv) authorize a local Concerned Agency to

exercise any power conferred by these
regulations by paragraphs i) - iii) above.

d) The Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) generated

in response to this standard will generate long term
improvements in chemical and ecological status of
the Kingdoms water resources.

b) The Competent Agency may, for the purposes of

this Standard, appoint persons to act on their behalf
as technical assessors and monitors in relation to the
powers and duties conferred on him by this standard
and/or its subsequent amendments.

Scope

c) In addition to the responsibilities conferred by

other sections contained within this standard, it shall
be the duty of the Concerned Agency/relevant party;

a) These Standards refer to the safety, aesthetic,

physical and chemical aspects of ambient waters for
the protection of human uses and the environment
including ecology and recreation.
b) Subject to the exemptions in Article I (6), these
standards apply to all coastal and underground
waters and include any surface freshwater that may
be present permanently or temporarily.

5)

6)

Purpose
a) The objective of this standard is to establish the
framework and the activities required to enable
sustainable management of ambient water quality
within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

4)

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ii) to provide the Competent Agency with all

such information, as that may reasonably be
required, for the purpose of carrying out an
investigation

d) The Competent Agency or appointed individual for

the purpose of water quality regulation may:

Exemptions
Activity

Exemption applies

Mixing zones

Whilst discharge is
operational
At all times

Private water bodies

(including swimming
pools)
Water within storm water,
sewerage systems or
treatment works including
tertiary treatment ponds
Water within an isolated
tank or system such as

i) to provide the Competent Agency all such

assistance; and

At all times

As long as liquid is
fully contained

i) Enter any premises for the purpose of

carrying out any investigation.
ii) carry out such inspections, measurements
and tests on premises entered, articles or
records found on any such premises, and take
away such samples of ambient water or
articles, as may be considered appropriate for
the purpose of enabling such investigation; or
iii) at any reasonable time require any relevant
party to supply him with copies of, or of extracts
from, any records kept for the purpose of
demonstrating compliance with ambient water
quality standards.

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e) This standard enables the issue of regulations and

technical memoranda which are enforceable by the
Competent Agency who holds delegated authority
under the General Environmental Regulations.

Article II General Provisions

1)
7)

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.

9)

a) Where numerical values are stated, the units are

also present; these may vary according to the
parameter referenced.
b) Where a prohibition occurs for an individual
substance the concentration limit may be specified
as nil or 0.
2)

Requirements for protection of ambient water

quality

Penalty fines

a) All classified waters, including coastal waters

groundwater and surface water, shall meet the
prescribed concentrations and values stipulated in
Appendix B.

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.

b) A person or organisation by means of action or

inaction taken must not cause any of the ambient
water quality criteria applicable to those waters;

Appeals
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.

c) All appeals should be fully supported with a

documented case containing as a minimum, the
information required under the appeals process of
the General Environmental Regulations.

i)

to be exceeded; or;

ii)

if already exceeded (whether through natural

causes, the discharge of a pollutant or a
combination of both), to further exceed the
ambient standards stipulated in Appendix A.

c) A 3km buffer zone will be established around highvalue areas (classified in Article III) within which
marine ambient standards marine discharge
standards apply in order to guard the protected
habitats, flora or fauna.

b) The right of appeal against conviction or sentence

is available through the appropriate judicial system as
set out in the General Environmental Regulations.

10)

Units of measurement

Enforcement procedures
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.

8)

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3)

Violation of standards
a) In circumstances where:
i)

ambient standards are determined to

have been violated on the basis of any
individual
parameter
stipulated
in
Appendix B being exceeded; or

ii)

the Competent Agency has determined

that significant environmental degradation
has occurred,

Periodic review
a) There may be some requirement at a future date to
adjust the standards included to recognise specific
local conditions and or improved understanding of the
effects of point or non point-source wastewater
discharges.
b) As a minimum, the Competent Agency shall
undertake a periodic review of this standard every 5
years.

the Competent Agency must investigate the local

ambient conditions further to determine where
appropriate:

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.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

i)

the context in which the infringement is

taking place with specific reference to
timings and severity;

ii)

assessment
of
the
characteristics; and

mixing

zone

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iii)

the person or persons responsible.

b) Where a responsible person(s) is identified the

Competent Agency will:
i)

refer to the prescribed concentrations and

values set out in the Industrial and
Municipal Wastewater Standards;

ii)

assess site
criteria;

compliance

against

iii)

specify the appropriate risk based

mitigating actions with reference to
corrective and preventative action; and

iv) where
appropriate
launch
enforcement action or prosecution.

other

d) Where the contravention of ambient standards is

due to cumulative impact of local discharges, but
without infringement of discharge standards the
Competent Agency shall take the following actions:
i)

conduct a study into the assimilative

capacity of the local environment set
against the context of current and future
use criteria; and

ii)

revise and enforce local discharge

standards according to these findings in
order to protect human health and the
environment as set out under the General
Environmental Regulation.

Background conditions
a) Where the existing background conditions are
considered of better quality than these standards,
those conditions must be at least maintained as a
minimum requirement.
b) The existing uses of water as defined in Article III
should be maintained or protected unless authorised
by the Competent Agency.
c) The Competent Agency may designate zones
where an exceedance of threshold values for a given
pollutant is attributable to natural causes. In such
cases the Competent Agency will undertake no
further action.

5)

ii)

are known to be bio-accumulative and

harmful in food chains;

iii)

are activated when disturbed by natural or

human activities such as dredging;

iv) unduly affect the physical or chemical

nature of the sediment; or
v)

this

c) Enforcement and prosecutions will be determined

by the conditions set out in the General
Environmental Regulations.

4)

6)

a) Where appropriate, bottom sediments shall be

substantially free of pollutants that:

interfere with the propagation of habitats or

shellfish, fish and other wildlife.

Mixing zones
a) The operator or facility will establish zones of
influence from discharges which are exempt from
these standards but are however, subject to the
requirements of the industrial and municipal
wastewater standards.
b) The following requirements apply in relation to a
mixing zone in a receiving water body:
i)

the zone of influence or mixing zone shall be

designed in order to minimise the impact on
the environment, however the absolute
maximum size of a mixing zone shall be
determined on a case by case basis using the
methodology in Appendix C and limited to a
maximum 100m radius;

ii)

acutely toxic conditions should not be reached

within a mixing zone; where tested, Methods
must be in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136
Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for
the Analysis of Pollutants; Whole Effluent
Toxicity Test Methods; USEPA.

iii)

mixing zones should not impinge on sensitive

areas, such as coral reefs, recreational areas
or important spawning or nursery areas for
aquatic organisms;

iv)

neighbouring mixing zones should not merge

or overlap;

v)

no mixing zone should impinge the mean low

water spring (MLWS) shoreline; and

vi)

materials should not be discharged that settle

and cause harmful or objectionable deposits;
the growth of undesirable aquatic life; or result
in the dominance of nuisance species.

vii)

Alternative mixing zone areas may on a case

by case basis be agreed by the Competent
Agency to represent areas that have been
designated as sites of significant economic
importance (SSEI).

viii)

An application for a SSEI variation must be

made using the official form in Appendix D and
will be supported by evidence justifying the
award of a temporary permit. The significance

Sediment quality

i)

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affect and change the composition of

bottom fauna;

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Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

of this evidence will be determined by the

Competent Agency only.
c) Should an operator determine that the
methodology specified in Appendix C is technically
unachievable at a specific locality, they must produce
a study to confirm the best achievable mixing zone
dimensions
available
using
Best
Available
Technology (BAT).

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i)

is of special interest by reason of its flora,

fauna or geological or physiographical
features; or

ii)

is of special character or exemption,

the Competent Agency shall update their central

usage records and amend their monitoring and
analysis programme accordingly.

d) The method for carrying out this assessment must

be approved in advance by the Competent Agency.
This study must also make an assessment of the
impact the new mixing zone will have upon the
environment and be submitted to the Competent
Agency.

d) The Competent Agency is obligated to verify the

usage zone classification every 10 years. Verification
activities will vary depending on the development of
the local area during the intermittent time and
changes in environmental conditions. In doing this
the Competent Agency shall show due diligence in
the verification process.

Article III Classification of water bodies

Article IV Monitoring, enforcement and penalties
1)

Water body classification

a) The classification a waterbody receives
determines the environmental quality objectives
(EQOs) that apply to that water body (criteria for
EQOs specified in Appendix B.
b) All water bodies must be classified either as fresh
surface water, groundwater, or coastal water. The
definition of each of these water-bodies is set out in
Appendix A.
c) All coastal water shall be sub-divided into the
following usage related classifications by the
Competent Agency (as set out in Appendix A) for the
purposes of monitoring ambient water quality:
i)

marine;

ii)

high value; or

iii)

industrial.

Sampling and monitoring requirements

a) National ambient water quality monitoring is the
responsibility of the Competent Agency and must be
carried out in such a manner as to assess
compliance with the water quality objectives set out
in appendix B.
b) The national monitoring programme carried out by
the Competent Agency and will include as a
minimum:
i)

parameters to be monitored;

ii)

sampling locations and frequency;

iii)

sampling methods and equipment;

iv) schedules for sampling;

d) Coastal waters can be further classified into being

primary or secondary recreational zones if they meet
the criteria, also set out in Appendix A.

2)

1)

v)

methods for quality assurance and

validation of sampling results;

vi) requirements for checking and interpreting

results;
vii) responsibilities and necessary
qualifications of staff;

Changes in classifications
a) The Competent Agency can amend usage zones
following their initial classification at any time.
b) It is the responsibility of the Competent Agency to
make any changes to usage zone classifications
known to affected persons, facilities and operators so
that the classification protects those sensitive
receptors affected.
c) Where the Competent Agency is of the opinion
that any coastal area of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia:

viii) requirements for documentation and

management of records;
ix) data be recorded and sorted; and
x)

detailed requirements for reporting and

communicating results.

b) 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

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and Wastewater published by the American Public

Health Association (APHA).

objectives are adequate to maintain and improve

water quality.

c) Samples collected should be representative of the

quality of water in the sample zone.

g) The Competent Agency shall provide a 5 yearly

report on the status of ambient waters in relation to
their Water Quality Objectives (WQOs).

d) All monitoring data will be retained by the

Competent Agency for a period not less than 7
years.
e) Acute and chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET)
tests may be used by the Competent Agency to
measure acute toxicity1.

h) The Competent Agency shall undertake a

programme to raise public and private awareness of
the importance of maintaining and improving ambient
water quality.

f) Quality assurance protocols will be developed by

the Competent Agency to ensure the accuracy of the
sampling and monitoring.

Article V Water quality objectives

1)

Establishment of performance
quality programmes

driven

water

a) The Competent Agency shall develop a strategic

programme for the maintenance and/or improvement
of all ambient waters in KSA.
b) The Competent Agency shall establish water
quality improvement objectives for waters which are
currently failing to achieve the required ambient
water quality standard (Appendix B). The Competent
Agency is responsible for managing programmes for
water quality improvement.
c) Areas classified as industrial in Appendix A should
have a water quality improvement objectives
associated with them and the Competent Agency
should also design an improvement programme for
these areas.
d) Water quality programmes should consider all
possible approaches to minimize the deterioration of
groundwater quality. This should include the
establishment of groundwater sensitive zones within
which discharges from certain agricultural, industrial
and municipal processes may be restricted.
e) The Competent Agency may further investigate
any waters, and based on the results of such
activities, establish specific Local Improvement Plans
(LIPs) for ambient waters. .
f) The Competent Agency shall liaise with Concerned
Agencies responsible for the protection of nationally
and internationally designated sites and species to
ensure that ambient standards and water quality

Methods must be in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136 Guidelines

Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants; Whole
Effluent Toxicity Test Methods; USEPA.

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Appendix A Classification of water bodies

A1 According to the requirements of Article III 2, all water bodies must be classified according to the type of water and
use. This appendix sets out the criteria for classifying usage zones.

Classification

Subdivision

Code

Definition

Groundwater

Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore

spaces and in the fractures of geologic formations.

Fresh surface
water

This includes all fresh waters on the ground and includes

water within rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands,
marshes, wadis and man made reservoirs.

Coastal water

Marine

C1

Coastal waters are those that are under the jurisdiction of

KSA (the territorial coastal waters being 12 international
nautical miles (22.2 kilometres) of the shoreline). The subdivision marine is the default when the coastal water body
does not meet the criteria for high-value or industrial,
detailed below.

Coastal water

High value

C2

Areas of coastal water shall be classified as high value if

they are designated as locally, nationally or internationally
protected areas by any Concerned Agency (this includes
but is not limited to the Competent Agency, ROPME,
NCWCD and PERGSA).

Coastal water

Industrial

C3

Water bodies shall be classified as industrial if they are

adjacent to terrestrial zones or surrounding fixed offshore
platforms that that are classified as industrial through local
or national planning regulation. The extent of the aquatic
environment classified as industrial will represent a seaward
extension of the terrestrial boundary provided that it does
not impinge upon high areas classified as C1 or C2.
Furthermore, industrial ambient conditions will extend no
more that a 500 meter radius from the edge of any mixing
zone.

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A2 Recreational Classification
The following classifications relate to microbial parameters and can be assigned to fresh surface waters (B) and
coastal waters (C1-3). The following classifications relate to the recreational use of a water body and the
microbiological water quality required for this purpose. The main use criteria will remain as enforceable,
however the microbiological parameters are replaces with table B-2.The classification recreational waters may
be primary or secondary contact:
i) Primary contact areas
Water bodies and / or courses shall be classified as primary contact if they are within 1km of an area that is
used frequently for recreational activities where ingestion of the water is likely to incur for example: Swimming,
diving and windsurfing.

ii) Secondary contact areas

Water bodies and / or courses shall be classified as secondary contact areas if they are within 1km of an area
that is used frequently for recreational activities involving some contact with water, but where ingestion of the
water is unlikely to occur, for example: Recreational boating and wading.

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Appendix B Prescribed concentrations and values

Table B1 Environmental quality objectives for ambient water quality (maximum values)

Parameter

Unit

Marine
(C1)

Red Sea
Highvalue
(C2)

Gulf
Industrial
(C3)

Marine
(C1)

High-value
(C2)

Industrial
(C3)

Surface
water
(B)

Groundwat
er
(A)

ABD

n/a

0.2

0.1

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.3

ABD

ABD (ttest?)

Physical chemistry
Temperature

pH
Salinity
TDS
TSS

Turbidity
Dissolved oxygen
(DO)
Chemical
Indicators and
nutrients

C
pH
Unit
s
%

ABD

ABD

mg/l

37-45,000

37-45,000

37-45,000

37-50,000

37-50,000

37-50,000

5,000

ABD

mg/l

10

10

ABD

NTU

1.5

30

ABD

mg/l

>5

>5

>4

>5

>5

>4

>5

n/a

BOD5

mg/l

10

10

15

15

10

20

10

n/a

COD

mg/l

25

20

35

25

20

40

25

n/a

Oil & Grease

mg/l

<1

<1

TKN

mg/l

ABD

TOC

mg/l

10

10

15

10

10

15

10

ABD

Phosphorus (total)

mg/l

0.5

0.25

0.5

0.25

0.5

0.03

Phosphorus PO4-P
Ammonia (free, as
NH3)

mg/l

0.1

0.05

0.2

0.1

0.05

0.2

0.1

ABD

mg/l

0.1

0.05

0.1

0.05

0.1

0.3

Chloride (as Cl)

mg/l

21,000

20,500

22,000

35,000

35,000

35,000

ABD

ABD

Calcium (CaCO3)
Inorganic nitrogen
(as Nitrite and
Nitrate)

mg/l

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

ABD

ABD

mg/l

1.5

1.2

2.0

1.5

1.2

2.0

30

Sodium

mg/l

14,000

14,000

14,000

14,000

14,000

14,000

150

Sulfate

mg/l

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

200

150
250 (guide)
ABD

Sulfide
Total Petroleum
Hydrocarbon

mg/l
mg/l

0.002

0.002

0.5

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.3

0.2

0.5

0.3

0.2

0.5

0.3

0.2

Heavy metals

2
3

Aluminium

mg/l

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

Arsenic

mg/l

0.05

0.05

0.1

0.05

0.05

0.1

0.005

0.005

Barium

mg/l

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

Cadmium

mg/l

0.005

0.002

0.05

0.005

0.002

0.05

0.005

0.005

Chromium (total)
Chromium
(Hexavalent)

mg/l

0.05

0.05

0.1

0.05

0.05

0.1

0.05

0.1

mg/l

0.005

0.005

0.02

0.005

0.005

0.02

0.005

0.005

Cobalt

mg/l

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

Copper

mg/l

0.05

0.05

0.15

0.05

0.05

0.15

0.05

0.05

Iron

mg/l

0.5

0.1

0.5

0.1

0.5

0.2

Lead

mg/l

0.05

0.005

0.2

0.05

0.005

0.2

0.005

0.005

Manganese

mg/l

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.1

Mercury

mg/l

0.0004

0.0004

0.001

0.0004

0.0004

0.001

0.001

0.001

Nickel

mg/l

0.05

0.05

0.2

0.05

0.05

0.2

0.05

0.02

Above background levels

May be variable as a result of background conditions

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Silver

mg/l

0.1

0.07

0.2

0.1

0.07

0.2

0.07

0.1

Zinc
Organics and
inorganic

mg/l

0.8

0.2

0.8

0.2

0.02

Aldrin*

mg/l

2.2 x 10

Benzene
Carbon
Tetrachloride*

mg/l

0.01

-6

2.2 x 10

-6

-6

0.01

-6

2.2 x 10

2.2 x 10

2.2 x 10

0.01

0.01

0.01

-6

2.2 x 10

-6

0.01

-6

2.2 x 10

2.2 x 10

0.01

0.005

-6

mg/l
0.001
mg/l

Chlordane*

2.3 x 10

0.001
-6

2.3 x 10

0.001
-6

0.001
-6

0.001
-6

2.3 x 10

2.3 x 10

2.3 x 10

0.001
-6

2.3 x 10

0.002
-6

0.005
-6

2.3 x 10

0.002

mg/l
Chlorine (residual)
Chlorinated
Hydrocarbons
(Total)

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

<0.0

0.001

mg/l
0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

Chloroform

mg/l

0.13

0.13

0.13

0.13

0.13

0.13

0.13

n/a

Cyanide (free)
DDT (and
metabolites)*

mg/l

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.001

Dieldrin*

mg/l

4 x 10

TCDD - Dioxin*

mg/l

mg/l
1.7 x 10

-5

1.7 x 10

-5

-5

-5

-5

1.7 x 10

1.7 x 10

1.7 x 10

-6

4 x 10

-6

-6

4 x 10

4 x 10

3 x 10

-8

3 x 10

-8

3 x 10

-8

0.000006

0.000006

0.000006

1.5

1.5

1.5

-6

4 x 10

3 x 10

-8

0.000006
1.5

1.7 x 10

-5

-5

-5

1.7 x 10

1.7 x 10

4 x 10

-6

4 x 10

-6

3 x 10

-8

3 x 10

-8

-6

4 x 10

3 x 10

-8

Endrin

mg/l

Fluoride

mg/l

Furans*

mg/l

1 x 10

Helptachlor*

mg/l

5 x 10

5 x 10

Hexachlorobenzene

mg/l

0.007

0.007

Lindane

mg/l

1.2 x 10

Mirex*

mg/l

1 x 10

MtBE

mg/l

10

0.02

Pentachlorophenol

mg/l

0.005

0.005

0.005

0.005

0.005

0.005

0.005

0.0005

PAH

mg/l

0.003

PCBs (total)

mg/l

1.9 x 10

Phenols (total)

mg/l

0.05

Total pesticides

mg/l

Toxaphene*

mg/l

2.1 x 10

2,4,5 TP (Silvex)
1,1,1
Trichloroethane*

mg/l

n/a
0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.001

Toluene

mg/l

0.002

0.001

0.002

0.002

0.001

0.002

0.002

0.002

Vinyl chloride

mg/l

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.002

0.001

Xylenes

mg/l

0.005

0.005

0.05

0.005

0.005

0.005

0.005

0.005

mg/l
coun
t/10
0ml
coun
t/10
0ml

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

<500

<250

<500

<500

<250

<500

<600

<10

<200

<100

<200

<200

<100

<200

<230

<5

-6
-6

-5

-6

-6

-6

1 x 10

-6

1.2 x 10

-5

-6

2.1 x 10

5 x 10

0.007

0.007
-5

-6

1 x 10

0.003
-6

-5

1 x 10

-6

3 x 10

-8

0.000006

0.000006

0.000006

1.5

1.5

0.4

-6

1 x 10

-6

0.2
-6

1 x 10

-6

0.0004

5 x 10

5 x 10

0.007

0.007

1.2 x 10

-5

-6

1 x 10

1.9 x 10

1.9 x 10

0.1

0.05

0.05
-5

-6

2.1 x 10

2.1 x 10

2.1 x 10

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.2 x 10

-5

-6

1 x 10

0.003
-6

1.9 x 10
0.1

-5

2.1 x 10
n/a

1 x 10

-5

-6

0.007
-5

1.2 x 10

-6

0.003
-6

0.001

1 x 10

0.007

0.003
-6

-6

1 x 10

5 x 10

1.9 x 10

-5

n/a

-5

1.2 x 10

0.003
-6

0.05
-5

5 x 10

-6

1.2 x 10

1 x 10

1.9 x 10

-6

-6

0.003
-6

1 x 10

1 x 10

-6

0.0002
1 x 10

-6

0.0002
-6

1.9 x 10

1.9 x 10

0.05

0.005
-6

2.1 x 10

0.002

n/a

0.05

-6

mg/l

Microbial
Cyanobacteria

Ecoli
Intestinal
enterococci

* These chemicals are specified as a monthly average

Table B2 Microbiological guidelines for recreational waters

Type of recreational waters

Limit value for the number of

Intestinal enterococci/100 ml

Primary contact

<40

Secondary contact

<200

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KSA

Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

PME Reference

Appendix C Calculation of mixing zones4 in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf

C1 Red Sea and Gulf mixing zones [screening model]

SDave

= Horizontal extent of mixing zone

Where:
Dave
= average water depth at outfall location5 6
S

= refer to table D1.

Table C1 Red Sea S values

S

Example of habitat/area type

2
5
8

High-value area
Marine classified area
Industrially classified area

Table C2 Arabian Gulf S Values7

S

Example of habitat/area type

4
8
12

High-value area
Marine classified area
Industrially classified area

Notes:
1. This method represents the basic screening model for defining the maximum horizontal extent of a mixing
zone.
2. Where modelling shows that the maximum extent of the mixing zone is unachievable, the Competent
Agency must be consulted for approval on a case by case basis.
3. The maximum horizontal extent of the mixing zone radius will be 100m at any time.

Method adapted from Jirka et al (2004). Published by the European Water Association.
Average depth applies where diffusion technology is utilised for discharge and must be measured at 10m increments along the length of the
diffusion apparatus. Otherwise the depth at the end of the outfall applies.
6
For the gulf a correction factor of +10 is applied to depth to take account of local bathymetry.
7
These values are adjusted to accommodate for the conditions in the Arabian Gulf (i.e. shallow waters)
5

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KSA

Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

PME Reference

Table C3 A look up table showing the radius of a mixing zone for given values of S and Dave for the Red
Sea and Gulf of Arabia
Red Sea
Depth (m)
5 or less
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

2
5
8
Mixing zone radius8
10
25
40
12
30
48
14
35
56
16
40
64
18
45
72
20
50
80
22
55
88
24
60
96
100
26
65
28
70
30
75
32
80
34
85
36
90
38
95
100
40
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
56
58
60
62
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
82
84
86
88
90
92
94
96
98
100

Arabian Gulf
Depth (m)
5 or less
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

4
8
12
Mixing zone radius
20
40
60
24
48
72
28
56
84
32
64
96
100
36
72
40
80
44
88
48
96
100
52
56
60
64
68
72
76
80
84
88
92
96
100

Horizontal radius

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KSA

Presidency of Meteorology and Environment

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

PME Reference

Page 13 of 13