KSA Presidency of Meteorology and Environment PME Reference

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Environmental Standard

Ambient Water Quality

Article I – Preliminary

‘indicator’ refers to a property of water, whether

1) Definitions chemical, physical or biological for which a value is
determined as set out within these Standards.
‘acutely toxic’ describes the adverse effects
‘KSA’ Refers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
resulting from a single exposure to a substance.
mixing zone’ shall refer to a defined area of water
‘aesthetic’ refers to those characteristics of water
directly adjacent to an area for discharging
which exhibit themselves physically, including but
contaminants where the receiving water quality
not limited to, the odour, taste and colour.
standards may be exceeded and such and area is
determined pursuant to Article II (6).
‘assimilative capacity’ Refers to the ability of a
water body to receive a pollutant(s) and still meet
‘national monitoring programme’ refers to the
water quality standards.
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
‘natural causes’ shall refer to natural events that
due only to non-anthropogenic sources, i.e., natural
result in degraded water quality, these may include
sources.
storms, earthquakes and naturally occurring algal
blooms.
‘Best Available Techniques (BAT)’ refers to the
most effective and advanced developments in
‘operator’ The owner or nominated manager of a
technologies and methods of operation generally
business, industrial enterprise or wastewater
utilised to reduce emissions and the impact on the
treatment works.
environment as a whole.
‘PME’ Refers to the Presidency of Meteorology and
“Competent Agency” is the appointed body that
Environment who are designated as the competent
will regulate and enforce these environmental
agency for the protection of the environment and
standards, in most cases this will be PME.
the development of environmental protection
standards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
‘due diligence’ in this context is the effort made by
an ordinarily prudent or reasonable party to avoid
‘Sites of Significant Economic Importance
harm to the environment, another party or himself.
(SSEI)’ refers to areas, zones or localities that only
upon the agreement of the Competent Agency,
‘Concerned Agency’ the government agency in may extend their horizontal mixing zone to meet
charge of environment-related projects. economic criteria.
‘contravention’ refers to an actual breach or
‘waterbody’ shall refer to bodies of water as
exceedance in a regulatory requirement meaning
defined with Appendix A.
the failure to comply with the terms set out in this
document. ‘Water Quality Objectives (WQO)’ This refers to a
set of environmental criteria pertaining to the
‘facility’ shall refer to any site installation or
required quality of a water body for its designated
activity that has the potential to cause use.
environmental pollution or degradation.

‘GER’ Refers to the General Environmental

Regulations. 2) Citation

‘groundwater’ refers to water from aquifers or
other underground sources.
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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areas lined with materials

which are impervious to
3) Timescales for implementation water (e.g. septic tank)
.
a) The effective date of this standard is 01/05/1433H
corresponds to 24/03/2012G. 6) Powers of Authority

The requirement to comply with these standards will a) Within the scope of these standards the
commence from the effective date. Competent Agency may:

i) Prescribe specific requirements as to the

3) 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.
b) The ambient Standards introduce a baseline
standard of water quality which aims to protect the
Kingdom’s water supply and natural aquatic
environment whilst allowing for sustainable economic
and social development.
c) These standards shall provide a basis for the
restoration of waters used for recreational,
agricultural, industrial, potable and ecological
purposes.
d) The Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) generated
in response to this standard will generate long term
improvements in chemical and ecological status of
the Kingdom’s water resources.
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
iv) authorize a local Concerned Agency to
exercise any power conferred by these
regulations by paragraphs i) - iii) above.
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.

c) In addition to the responsibilities conferred by

4) Scope
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) Exemptions
Activity Exemption applies
other sections contained within this standard, it shall
be the duty of the Concerned Agency/relevant party;
i) to provide the Competent Agency all such
assistance; and
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:
i) Enter any premises for the purpose of
carrying out any investigation.

Mixing zones Whilst discharge is ii) carry out such inspections, measurements
operational and tests on premises entered, articles or
Private water bodies At all times records found on any such premises, and take
(including swimming away such samples of ambient water or
pools) articles, as may be considered appropriate for
Water within storm water, At all times the purpose of enabling such investigation; or
sewerage systems or
treatment works including iii) at any reasonable time require any relevant
tertiary treatment ponds party to supply him with copies of, or of extracts
from, any records kept for the purpose of
Water within an isolated As long as liquid is
demonstrating compliance with ambient water
tank or system such as fully contained
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.
7) 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.
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.
8) Penalty fines
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.
9) 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.
b) The right of appeal against conviction or sentence
is available through the appropriate judicial system as
set out in the General Environmental Regulations.
Article II – General Provisions
1) Units of measurement
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
a) All classified waters, including coastal waters
groundwater and surface water, shall meet the
prescribed concentrations and values stipulated in
Appendix B.
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;
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 high-
value areas (classified in Article III) within which
marine ambient standards marine discharge
standards apply in order to guard the protected
habitats, flora or fauna.

c) All appeals should be fully supported with a

documented case containing as a minimum, the 3) Violation of standards
information required under the appeals process of
the General Environmental Regulations. a) In circumstances where:

i) ambient standards are determined to

10) Periodic review have been violated on the basis of any
individual parameter stipulated in
Appendix B being exceeded; or
a) There may be some requirement at a future date to
adjust the standards included to recognise specific ii) the Competent Agency has determined
local conditions and or improved understanding of the that significant environmental degradation
effects of point or non point-source wastewater has occurred,
discharges.
the Competent Agency must investigate the local
b) As a minimum, the Competent Agency shall ambient conditions further to determine where
undertake a periodic review of this standard every 5 appropriate:
years.
i) the context in which the infringement is
c) Where new information suggests that adjustments taking place with specific reference to
are required to this standard, all changes will be timings and severity;
subject to the appropriate consultation and will be
notified to facilities by the Competent Agency. ii) assessment of the mixing zone
Appropriate implementation time will be allowed. characteristics; and

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KSA Presidency of Meteorology and Environment
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 compliance against
criteria;
iii) specify the appropriate risk based
mitigating actions with reference to
corrective and preventative action; and
iv) where appropriate launch
enforcement action or prosecution.
c) Enforcement and prosecutions will be determined
by the conditions set out in the General
Environmental Regulations.
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.
4) 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) Sediment quality
a) Where appropriate, bottom sediments shall be
substantially free of pollutants that:
i) affect and change the composition of
bottom fauna;
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PME Reference
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
this v) interfere with the propagation of habitats or
shellfish, fish and other wildlife.
6) Mixing zones
a) The operator or facility will establish zones of
other
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
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KSA 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).
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.
Article III Classification of water bodies
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.
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) 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:
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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 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 IV – Monitoring, enforcement and penalties
1) 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;
v) methods for quality assurance and
validation of sampling results;
vi) requirements for checking and interpreting
results;
vii) responsibilities and necessary
qualifications of staff;
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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KSA Presidency of Meteorology and Environment PME Reference

and Wastewater published by the American Public objectives are adequate to maintain and improve
Health Association (APHA). water quality.

c) Samples collected should be representative of the
quality of water in the sample zone.
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.
g) The Competent Agency shall provide a 5 yearly
report on the status of ambient waters in relation to
their Water Quality Objectives (WQOs).
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 driven water

quality programmes

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

1
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 Sub- Code Definition

division

Groundwater - A Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore

spaces and in the fractures of geologic formations.

Fresh surface - B This includes all fresh waters on the ground and includes
water 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 sub-
division ‘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)

Red Sea Gulf

High- Surface Groundwat
Marine value Industrial Marine High-value Industrial water er
Parameter Unit (C1) (C2) (C3) (C1) (C2) (C3) (B) (A)

Physical chemistry
Temperature °C 3 2 4 3 2 4 ABD n/a
pH
Unit ABD (t-
pH s 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.3 ABD test?)

Salinity % 0 0 2 0 0 3 ABD ABD

TDS mg/l 37-45,000 37-45,000 37-45,000 37-50,000 37-50,000 37-50,000 5,000 ABD
2
TSS mg/l 5 2 10 5 3 10 5 ABD
Turbidity NTU 2 1.5 5 3 2 5 30 ABD
Dissolved oxygen
(DO) mg/l >5 >5 >4 >5 >5 >4 >5 n/a
Chemical
Indicators and
nutrients
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 2 <1 3 3 <1 5 3 0
TKN mg/l 3 2 5 3 2 5 3 ABD
TOC mg/l 10 10 15 10 10 15 10 ABD
Phosphorus (total) mg/l 0.5 0.25 1 0.5 0.25 1 0.5 0.03
Phosphorus PO4-P mg/l 0.1 0.05 0.2 0.1 0.05 0.2 0.1 ABD
Ammonia (free, as
NH3) mg/l 0.1 0.05 1 0.1 0.05 1 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) mg/l 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 ABD ABD
Inorganic nitrogen
(as Nitrite and
Nitrate) mg/l 1.5 1.2 2.0 1.5 1.2 2.0 1 30
Sodium mg/l 14,000 14,000 14,000 14,000 14,000 14,000 150 150
250 (guide)
Sulfate mg/l 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 200 ABD
Sulfide mg/l 0.002 0.002 0.5 0.002 0.002 1 0.002 0.002
Total Petroleum mg/l
Hydrocarbon 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.2

Heavy metals
Aluminium mg/l 0.2 0.2 1 0.2 0.2 1 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 1 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 1
Cadmium mg/l 0.005 0.002 0.05 0.005 0.002 0.05 0.005 0.005
Chromium (total) mg/l 0.05 0.05 0.1 0.05 0.05 0.1 0.05 0.1
Chromium
(Hexavalent) 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 1 0.05 0.05 1 0.05 0.05
3
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 1 0.5 0.1 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 2 0.01 0.01 2 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

2
Above background levels
3
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 mg/l 0.8 0.2 2 0.8 0.2 2 1 0.02
Organics and
inorganic
Aldrin* mg/l 2.2 x 10
-6
2.2 x 10
-6
2.2 x 10
-6
2.2 x 10
-6
2.2 x 10
-6
2.2 x 10
-6
2.2 x 10
-6
2.2 x 10
-6

Benzene mg/l 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.005
Carbon mg/l
Tetrachloride* 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.005
mg/l
-6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6
Chlordane* 2.3 x 10 2.3 x 10 2.3 x 10 2.3 x 10 2.3 x 10 2.3 x 10 2.3 x 10 0.002
mg/l
Chlorine (residual) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 <0.0
Chlorinated mg/l
Hydrocarbons
(Total) 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.001
Chloroform mg/l 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 n/a
Cyanide (free) mg/l 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.001
DDT (and mg/l
-5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5
metabolites)* 1.7 x 10 1.7 x 10 1.7 x 10 1.7 x 10 1.7 x 10 1.7 x 10 1.7 x 10 1.7 x 10
Dieldrin* mg/l 4 x 10
-6
4 x 10
-6
4 x 10
-6
4 x 10
-6
4 x 10
-6
4 x 10
-6
4 x 10
-6
4 x 10
-6

TCDD - Dioxin* mg/l 3 x 10

-8
3 x 10
-8
3 x 10
-8
3 x 10
-8
3 x 10
-8
3 x 10
-8
3 x 10
-8
3 x 10
-8

Endrin mg/l 0.000006 0.000006 0.000006 0.000006 0.000006 0.000006 0.000006 0.001
Fluoride mg/l 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.4 0.2
Furans* mg/l 1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6

Helptachlor* mg/l 5 x 10
-6
5 x 10
-6
5 x 10
-6
5 x 10
-6
5 x 10
-6
5 x 10
-6
5 x 10
-6
0.0004
Hexachlorobenzene mg/l 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.007
Lindane mg/l 1.2 x 10
-5
1.2 x 10
-5
1.2 x 10
-5
1.2 x 10
-5
1.2 x 10
-5
1.2 x 10
-5
1.2 x 10
-5
0.0002
Mirex* mg/l 1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6
1 x 10
-6

MtBE mg/l 5 5 5 5 5 5 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 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.0002
PCBs (total) mg/l 1.9 x 10
-6
1.9 x 10
-6
1.9 x 10
-6
1.9 x 10
-6
1.9 x 10
-6
1.9 x 10
-6
1.9 x 10
-6
1.9 x 10
-6

Phenols (total) mg/l 0.05 0.05 0.1 0.05 0.05 0.1 0.05 0.005
Total pesticides mg/l

Toxaphene* mg/l 2.1 x 10

-5
2.1 x 10
-5
2.1 x 10
-5
2.1 x 10
-5
2.1 x 10
-5
2.1 x 10
-5
2.1 x 10
-6
0.002
2,4,5 TP (Silvex) mg/l n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.05
1,1,1 mg/l
Trichloroethane* 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
Microbial
Cyanobacteria mg/l 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000
coun
t/10
Ecoli 0ml <500 <250 <500 <500 <250 <500 <600 <10
coun
Intestinal t/10
enterococci 0ml <200 <100 <200 <200 <100 <200 <230 <5

* These chemicals are specified as a monthly average

Table B2 – Microbiological guidelines for recreational waters

Limit value for the number of

Type of recreational waters Intestinal enterococci/100 ml
Primary contact <40
Secondary contact <200

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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 High-value area
5 Marine classified area
8 Industrially classified area

Table C2 – Arabian Gulf S Values7

S Example of habitat/area type

4 High-value area
8 Marine classified area
12 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.

4
Method adapted from Jirka et al (2004). Published by the European Water Association.
5
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)
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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 Arabian Gulf

Depth (m) 2 5 8 Depth (m) 4 8 12
Mixing zone radius8 Mixing zone radius
5 or less 10 25 40 5 or less 20 40 60
6 12 30 48 6 24 48 72
7 14 35 56 7 28 56 84
8 16 40 64 8 32 64 96
9 18 45 72 9 36 72 100
10 20 50 80 10 40 80
11 22 55 88 11 44 88
12 24 60 96 12 48 96
13 26 65 100 13 52 100
14 28 70 14 56
15 30 75 15 60
16 32 80 16 64
17 34 85 17 68
18 36 90 18 72
19 38 95 19 76
20 40 100 20 80
21 42 21 84
22 44 22 88
23 46 23 92
24 48 24 96
25 50 25 100
26 52 26
27 54 27
28 56 28
29 58 29
30 60 30
31 62 31
32 64 32
33 66 33
34 68 34
35 70 35
36 72 36
37 74 37
38 76 38
39 78 39
40 80 40
41 82 41
42 84 42
43 86 43
44 88 44
45 90 45
46 92 46
47 94 47
48 96 48
49 98 49
50 100 50

8
Horizontal radius
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