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Washing walls, windows or private boats with a hose is now a criminal offense under an amended water-saving law passed by Parliament on July 10.
Lawmakers approved the bill with 34 votes in favor, three against and no abstentions. The legislation strengthens enforcement of water conservation measures by expanding the list of prohibited activities and increasing fines and penalties for violations.
According to the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, the amendment and related regulations were discussed in five committee sessions before being brought to a vote.
The updated law aims to modernize the legal framework for managing water resources by cracking down on wasteful, non-essential water use. It designates the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment as the primary oversight authority and gives it the power to assign implementation duties to other agencies.
The ban on using hoses for cleaning now includes washing building walls, windows and private boats. Businesses that can prove they require water for professional operations are exempt from the new restrictions.
The law also introduces tougher on-the-spot fines and outlines procedures for issuing and challenging them. It authorizes the ministry to appoint individuals through service contracts to carry out enforcement duties, including investigating public complaints.
Additionally, the new regulations repeal the Water Saving (Special Measures) Regulations of 1991 and 1998.
