In February 2017, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House), citing the Khaleej Times, reported that nine desalination outlets in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah had failed water quality checks. Over seven months, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality had inspected 160 stations and had 1,015 samples analysed in the laboratory. The failures concerned contaminated water being sold or unsafe bottles. The nine operators risked penalties as well as closure for a limited period or for good. To renew their licences, operators had to comply with the emirate's HACCP hazard analysis rules.
The report showed that in the Gulf not only large plants but also small outlets selling desalinated water came under official scrutiny, judged against food safety rules.