Key points
- Saudi regulation: private-bathroom basin taps and kitchen taps grade A are 3.0 to 4.5 L/min, and shower heads grade A 1.9 to 7.6 L/min.
- Dual-flush toilets: the full flush shall not exceed 4.8 litres per the regulation's table.
- WaterSense: a basin tap at no more than 1.5 gpm cuts flow by 30% or more, and aerators fit existing taps cheaply.
- Leave access to valves and traps; anything hidden without an access panel becomes a demolition job to repair.
Basins, toilets and taps are used dozens of times a day, so the choice affects the water bill and ease of maintenance. Saudi Arabia has a Technical Regulation for Water Consumption Saving Tools that grades products by efficiency.
1) The Saudi water-saving table
The SASO technical regulation grades water-saving tools into A and B by nominal flow in litres per minute, for example1:
| Product | Grade A | Grade B |
|---|---|---|
| Taps and mixers in public washrooms | 1.7 or less | Over 1.7 up to 1.9 |
| Taps and mixers in private bathrooms, and kitchen taps | 3.0 to 4.5 | Over 4.5 up to 5.7 |
| Shower mixers and heads | 1.9 to 7.6 | Over 7.6 up to 9.5 |
| Hand-held bidet sprays and mixers | 5.7 to 7 | Over 7 up to 8 |
| Flow regulators | 2.7 or less | Over 2.7 up to 6 |
For dual-flush toilets the table states that the full flush shall not exceed 4.8 litres1. Compliant products carry a water-saving label showing their consumption level1.
The page for the version published on SASO's site was last updated in 2020, and SASO has since announced amendments; check the latest issue when buying or supplying.
2) U.S. WaterSense figures for comparison
- Toilets: a labelled toilet uses 1.28 gallons (about 4.8 L) per flush or less, 20% less than the 1.6-gallon federal standard, while old toilets can use up to 6 gallons2.
- With a dual-flush toilet you save more by using the reduced flush for liquid waste2.
- Basin taps: at most 1.5 gpm versus the 2.2 standard, a 30% or greater reduction3.
- Aerators: fit easily onto existing taps and can cost just a few dollars3.
3) Design for maintenance
Practical advice (not regulation):
- An isolation valve at each point (basin, toilet, heater) lets it be repaired without shutting off the house.
- Traps under basins and floor drains must be reachable for cleaning; the water in the trap is the barrier against sewer odours and evaporates if a drain goes unused4. See plumbing problems.
- Concealed cisterns in the wall need an access opening (usually behind the flush plate); ask about spare parts availability before buying.
- Waterproofing under tiles and around basins and showers is essential; do not rely on a single material. See waterproofing under tiles and bathroom renovation.
4) Common problems and quick checks
| Problem | Check or fix |
|---|---|
| Toilet leaking silently | Food colouring in the cistern; if colour appears in the bowl within 10 minutes without flushing, it leaks5. See leak detection |
| Weak tap flow | Clean scale from the aerator |
| Drain smell | Dry trap; pour water into it4 |
| Water around the toilet base | Possibly the connection or seal; needs a plumber |
5) Bathroom handover: photos and checks before closing up and after finishing
A practical owner's list; formal test methods and durations are set by the supervisor and the waterproofing manufacturer's instructions.
| Stage | Photograph or check |
|---|---|
| Before closing walls | Photos of hot, cold and drain pipe routes with a tape measure from floor and corner; pipe pressure test with the supervisor present. See Pipe types |
| After waterproofing | Photos of the membrane at corners and around drains and pipes; flood test before tiling. See Waterproofing under tiles |
| After tiling | Pour water on the floor: it flows to the drain without pooling; grout and silicone complete around shower and basin. See Grout |
| Fixtures | Every valve opens and closes; the flush starts and stops; no silent leak (dye test above); hot water on the expected side |
| Electrics and ventilation | Extract fan works and vents outside; sockets and lights follow the zones and are RCD-protected. See Bathroom electrics |
| Maintenance access | Hatch for the concealed cistern, removable traps, and a ceiling hatch if there is a suspended ceiling. See Gypsum board |
Keep the photos with the house drawings; if a leak appears later you know where the pipes are without breaking tiles. See New building handover.
Sources
The number next to a statement points to its source in this list. Sources back the general information; anything marked “practical advice” is editorial experience, not a quoted source. Anything that affects safety, structural design or electrical installations needs a licensed professional, and in Saudi Arabia the binding reference is the Saudi Building Code.
- 1Technical Regulation for Water Consumption Saving Tools — Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)
- 2WaterSense: Residential Toilets — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- 3WaterSense: Bathroom Faucets — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- 4What's That Smell? Understanding Sewer Odors and P-Traps — South Davis Sewer District
- 5Fix a Leak Week — How to check for leaks (meter test, toilet dye test) — U.S. EPA — WaterSense