A timeline wall showcasing the evolution of Saudi Arabia's water sector, displayed during the Saudi Water Week exhibition held in Jeddah from 28 June to 2 July 2026, drew strong interest from visitors. Through a comprehensive visual narrative, the timeline wall traced more than nine decades of institutional and technical transformation across the Kingdom's water sector.
The historical timeline began in 1931, when the Kingdom's founder, King Abdulaziz, invited leading international experts to conduct geological studies, identify geological formations, and explore water resources, laying the foundations for the Kingdom's scientific water infrastructure.
In 1947, the sector witnessed significant expansion through the drilling of wells along the Tapline route, alongside the establishment of the General Directorate of Agriculture, which oversaw land reclamation, irrigation improvements, the distribution of water pumps, dam construction, and the rehabilitation of natural springs, forming the early foundation for water resources management in the Kingdom.
A major institutional milestone followed in 1953 with the establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water and the appointment of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may he rest in peace) as its first minister. The period also saw the establishment of the Water and Dams Office and the construction of the Kingdom's first hydrological monitoring network, marking the beginning of the institutional and scientific organization of water resources.
In 1961, the Ministry's Water Affairs Agency was established. The sector expanded further in 1965 through the creation of the General Directorate for Saline Water Desalination in Jeddah, the launch of desalination plants in the Eastern Province and Jeddah, and the engagement of international consulting expertise to conduct groundwater and surface water studies and surveys.
By 1968, advances in drilling technologies enabled the extraction of deep groundwater, paving the way for the expansion of water projects across the Kingdom. In 1969, the hydrological monitoring network was expanded.
In 1974, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) was established and later became one of the Kingdom's key pillars of water security. This was followed in 1979 by the launch of the Kingdom's desalinated water transmission network to supply inland regions.
In 1984, the publication of the Water Atlas of Saudi Arabia strengthened the scientific knowledge base for the Kingdom's water resources. The sector then entered a major phase of institutional transformation in 2002 with the establishment of the Ministry of Water as an independent ministry, which was later merged with the Ministry of Electricity. In 2003, the Water and Electricity Company (WEC) was established and later evolved into the Saudi Water Partnerships Company (SWPC). Then establishment of the National Water Company (NWC). In 2008 to enhance service efficiency and expand service coverage.
In 2016, the sector underwent comprehensive restructuring through the merger of the Ministry of Water and Electricity with the Ministry of Agriculture, resulting in the formation of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and ushering in a new era of institutional integration. In 2018, the National Water Strategy 2030 was approved. The Saudi Irrigation Organization was established. This was followed in 2019 by the establishment of the Water Transmission Company (WTC) to enhance the efficiency of the Kingdom's water transmission infrastructure.
In 2020, Saudi Arabia introduced its first comprehensive Water Law to regulate the sector and safeguard water resources. The year also witnessed the development of the national water supply and demand plan through 2050 and the establishment of the Water Regulator.
In 2021, all regional water distribution operations were consolidated under the National Water Company (NWC), while the National Center for Water Efficiency and Conservation was established, further strengthening sustainability and improving water-use efficiency.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization (GWO), headquartered in Riyadh, to unify international efforts in developing water solutions and technologies while promoting access to safe water as a fundamental human right.
In 2024, the Kingdom established the International Water Research Center and approved the regulatory framework of the Saudi Water Authority (SWA).
The timeline wall also presented the Kingdom's future vision, highlighting its hosting of the 11th World Water Forum in 2027 and its commitment to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.