At its session held the day before yesterday, the Shura Council recommended that the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture postpone the issuance of water bills based on the new rates until the negative effects resulting from their implementation have been addressed. The Water, Agriculture, and Environment Committee recommended that the Ministry ensure the accreditation and classification of private companies and institutions responsible for detecting water leaks within homes and approve their reports, to conduct a field study to determine citizens" actual water consumption and adjust consumption brackets accordingly, and to study ways to curb the sharp rise in the annual growth rate of water consumption.

Dr. Yahya Al-Samaan, Assistant Speaker of the Shura Council, explained that the Council discussed the report of the Water, Agriculture, and Environment Committee regarding the annual report prepared by the Ministry of Water and Electricity for the fiscal year 1435/1436 AH (prior to its dissolution), which was read by the Committee Chairman, Dr. Ali Al-Takhis.

The committee also recommended the rapid implementation of the Saudi Building Code regarding water, and emphasized the need for the Ministry and the National Water Company to obtain the necessary approvals and drilling permits from the relevant authorities before awarding water and sanitation projects.