Digging of unlicensed wells attracts a fine of RO 2,000 and imprisonment for one year, warn officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The warning comes amid seizure of illegal drilling equipment during a raid by officials in Al Dhahirah Governorate recently. The rampant digging is depleting underground water reserves and is violating the regulations and laws governing public property.
Last June, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources issued a ministerial decision regarding the formation of a working group to develop an action to curb unlicensed wells, which have mushroomed over the past years.
Maqbool bin Hussein al Rawahi, Director of the Water Licensing Department at the ministry, said that the decision will strengthen, preserve, develop and ensure sustainability and management of water resources. It will also enable the monitoring teams to perform their work completely and faster than before in taking the necessary legal measures against drilling operators.
He said the rampant digging of wells damages aflaj and existing water sources. Besides, drilling runs the risk of breaking sewage tanks in residential premises and contaminating the underground water resources. Most of these unauthorised wells lack safety measures, which puts lives in danger. Al Rawahi said the ministry continued to give licenses to dig new wells, which are subject to the Water Wealth Protection Law and its related regulations. He requested the people to cooperate in limiting illicit digging.
The committee formed by the ministry consists of stakeholders and will work to define a mechanism to reduce random drilling of wells; prepare a mechanism for the immediate removal of unlicensed wells; control expatriate workers who drill unlicensed wells; seize drilling equipment of illegal operators; and form teams in the governorates.
Rampant drilling is done by citizens using expat labour to secure water for irrigation or gardening. The ministry also seeks to preserve water wealth and rationalise its consumption by enacting legislation aimed at preventing the drilling of new wells for farms and others, with the exception of some cases. The granting of licensing is in accordance with Article 8 of the Water Resources Protection law.
Anyone who violates the provisions of this law shall be punished by either imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding RO2,000 or both. The penalty shall be doubled in case of repetition of the violation.
The ministry has prepared a series of video, audio and print awareness campaigns in various media, which aim to educate citizens and residents on the need to conserve water in addition to informing them of the importance of obtaining licenses from the authorities.
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