Drinking Water Quality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The study titled "Water Quality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" contributes to science in terms of water quality. In particular, there has been a research study covering the years 2020-2022. A quality assessment was made on a national and international scale for the selected region. Nowadays, water quality and protecting quality water is very important, and research on this subject always remains up-to-date. However, some minor revisions to the study are necessary.

1. More numerical data on water quality parameters should be included in the summary section. Additionally, keywords should be displayed in alphabetical order.

2. What are the important differences of the SWCC-supported study and the criteria that distinguish it from other studies? More detail should be given in the introduction section. What is the feature of the selected region? Dense population, pollution or whatever factors influenced the choice.

3. According to Table 1, why the monitoring point for Yanbu, Shoaibah, Jeddah, and Khobar was chosen more than other points. Do these places have higher pollution levels?

4. The methods in Line 114-137 should be given in tabular form.

5. In the results section, the advantages and disadvantages covering the entire study should be stated numerically. Additionally, when both tables and figures are evaluated, should the results obtained be stated in accordance with national and international standards? WHO and regional standards can be added to the tables.

Author Response

Please see attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The reviewed MS represents an extended report about the management by desalinated water production and quality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This MS represents remarkable interest for the specialists in water desalination.

Major Comments:

1. I think that the Authors state that the aim of the desalinition in Saudi Arabia is the production of drinking water. Respectively, the term of "water  quality" corresponds to quality of water for drinking water supply.

2. From my point of view, it would be desired to prepare a Table summarizing information of the standards of water quality accepted/assessed in the Saudi Arabia.

3. If such water quality standards would be shown in Figures 2 through 6, it would significantly improve the informativeness of the Figures.

Minor comments

1. Lines 197-199 (subchapter 3.3) referred to the pH parameters.

2. Figure 6: no marks "a" and "b".

3. I don't agree with the Authors' statement that the cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K) "have little impact on water quality. High and low cations concentrations might have a negative impact on drinking water.

Author Response

Please see attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf