Well of Zamzam

Efficacy of Zam-zam water is certainly not here that should be explained, but if tales of Zam-zam well geology may be described here. A little story of Pre-Islamic, or before the birth of Prophet Muhammad, begins with the story of Prophet Ibrahim's wife, Siti Hajar, who are looking for water for her story. The well is then not much or no story, so well is reportedly missing.

Well of Zam-zam which we now see are wells dug by the Prophet Muhammad's grandfather Abdul Muttalib. So now, the "science persumuran" the well of Zam-zam category dug wells (Dug Water Well).

Dimensional and Profile of the Well of Zam-zam

Zam-zam well shape can be seen below.

Form the well of Zam-zam

These wells have a depth of about 30.5 meters. To a depth of 13.5 meters in the top through the Wadi Ibrahim alluvium layer. This layer is very porous layer of sand. This layer contains sand transport results from other places. Maybe once there are valleys that fed the river that are now dry. Or can be a low-lying debris or buildup result of rock weathering the higher topography.

Eye Zamzam water

Under a layer of alluvial Wadi Ibrahim have two feet (0.5 m) layer that is passing water (permeable). Layers are very pass this water is the main place out water-water in the well of Zam-zam.

Eye Zamzam water

Depth of 17 meters further down, these wells penetrate hard rock layers that form igneous rock diorite. This type of igneous rock (diorite) is rather rarely found in Indonesia or in Java, but very often found in the Arabian Peninsula. At the top of this rock found cracks that also contain water. There used to be a suspected fracture is towards the Red Sea. But there is no (perhaps I just have not found) geological report which shows it.

From the pumping test is able to drain the water wells of 11 - 18.5 liters / sec, up to minute to reach 660 liters / minute or 40 000 liters per hour. The cracks or fractures, this is one that issued the water quite a lot. There is a crack (fracture) which extends towards the Black Stone with a length of 75 cm height 30 cm premises, as well as some small gaps towards Shaffa and Marwa.

Other geometric description, a gap well below where Thawaf 1:56 m, total depth of 30 m from the edge of the well, water from the edge of the well depth = 4 m, water depth 13 m, from spring until the bottom of the well 17 m, and diameter of the wells ranges from 1:46up to 2.66 meters.

Rainwater as a source of blessing

Rainwater as a source of blessing

Makkah City is located in the valley, according to SGS (Saudi Geological Survey) as a broad basin that supplies this catchment area of 60 Km2 only, certainly not too wide as a receiver basin rain. Water source wells of Zam-zam water mainly from rain that fell in the area around Mecca.

Well this is just hydrological wells that are in need of regular maintenance. This well maintenance, including maintaining water quality and environmental hygiene wells and maintain water supply to be able to meet the needs of pilgrims in Makkah ****. Land clearing for settlement in Mecca around very neatly to avoid a reduction in the capacity of these wells.

Zamzam well location

Picture above shows the location of the well of Zamzam is located in the middle of the valley that extends. Haram Mosque located in the middle between the hills, the hills around it. Wide catchment area which is just 60 square km is certainly small enough to capture rain water that is very rare place in Makkah, which require monitoring and maintenance are very special.

Well of Zamzam was, once again in view of (scientific) hydrogeology, just like ordinary dug wells. Not too special compared to other wells dug. However, because these wells religious significance, it needs to be maintained. Many who put hope in this well water because the well is believed to bring fortune. Some claimed wells can also be dried when unchecked. Even if we know the story well is found again by Abdul-Muttalib (grandfather of Prophet Muhammad SAW) after missing buried 4000 years (?).

Formerly on the wells have a building with an area of 8.3 mx 10.7 m = 88.8 m2. Between the years 1381-1388 this building H place thawaf dispensed to expand. So where to drink Zamzam water moved into the basement. Below ground is provided where drinking zam-zam water with some 350 water taps (220 taps for men and 130 faucets for women), female-male hall was separated.

Monitoring and maintenance of the well of Zamzam

Currently building on the well of Zam-Zam seen the picture above it is not there anymore, even where the entrance to the basement even this has been closed. So the space for worship Thawaf become more widespread. But if you're observant fit Thawaf still we can see no sign of where the well is located. The well is located approximately 20 meters east of the Kaaba.

Monitoring and maintenance of the well of Zamzam

The number of pilgrims to Mecca thirty years ago only 400 000 per year (ditahun the 1970s), continued to increase to more than a million pilgrims annually in the 1990s, and currently has more than 2.2 million. Surely this well that required maintenance is one of the wonders and the main attraction for pilgrims.

The Saudi government certainly can not just let the silent surrender of this well preserved by God through the natural process. But the government of Saudi Arabia which has now been scientifically modern and scientifically establish a special agency in charge of this well of Zamzam. Looks like Saudi Arabia are also not simply believe it to surrender to God as a guard, but it is believed humans have to maintain the blessings of this well.

Pump Systems

In 1971 conducted the study (research) hydrology by a hydrology expert from Pakistan named Tariq Hussain and moin Uddin Ahmed. This is triggered by a statement by a doctor in Egypt which claimed Zamzam water and hazardous waste contaminated water for consumption. Tariq Hussain (including me from the side of the hydrogeology) also doubted the speculation of a long fracture that connects the red sea by the Well of Zam-zam, because Mecca is located 75 Kilometres from the beach. Concerning the alleged doctor this egypt, Of course the results refute the claim of a doctor from Egypt, but there are things more important in my opinion is research this Tariq Hussain would finally spur the Saudi Arabian government to pay attention to the Well of Zamzam is modern.Currently many new buildings are built around the Grand Mosque, also lots of tunnels built around Mecca, so the current construction should really tightly controlled because it will affect the local hydrogeological conditions.

Research Agency under the well of Zamzam SGS

(Saudi Geological Survey) responsible for:

Monitor and maintain to keep from the well is dry.

Keeping the surrounding urban Wadi Ibrahim as it affects the filling of water.

Regulate the flow of water from the catchment area (recharge area).

Maintaining groundwater movement and also maintaining quality through building controls.

Upgrading pumps and tanks and fences.

Optimizing the supply and distribution airZam-zam

The development of care well of Zamzam.

In ancient times, Zamzam taken by scoop or bucket, but then built a water pump on 1373 H/1953 M. These pumps deliver water from wells to water reservoirs, and including also the faucet-taps around the Zamzam well.

Pump test (pumping test) was conducted on these wells, the pumping 8000 liters / sec for more than 24 hours to show surface water wells from 3:23 meters to 12.72 meters below the surface and then until 13:39 meters. After it stopped pumping water level is back to 3.9 meters below the surface of the wells in 11 minut only after the pump stopped. So easy to believe that the aquifer that supplies water comes from some crack (fracture) on the hills around Mecca.

Many things have been done the Saudi government to maintain these wells, among others, by forming a special agency in 1415 H (1994). and now has built a channel to channel Zam-zam water to storage tanks with a capacity of 15,000 m3, concatenated with another tank at the top of the Grand Mosque in order to serve the pedestrians and travelers. In addition, Zam-zam water is also transported to other places such as tank trucks to the Nabawi Mosque in Madinah Al-Munawarrah.

Currently the well is also equipped with electric pumps that are embedded under the (electric submersible pump). We can only see the pictures just like above. To the right is the drum hydrograph, recording instrument recording water level well of Zamzam (Old style drum hydrograph Used for recording levels in the Zamzam Well.)

Mineralization

Unlike a common mineral water, Zamzam water is unique in containing the natural elements of 2000 mg per liter. Usually, natural mineral water (hard Carbonated water) will not be more than 260 mg per liter. Chemical elements terkandng in Zamzam water can be grouped into

The first, positive ions such as eg sodium (250 mg per liter), calcium (200 mg per liter), potassium (20 mg per liter) and magnesium (50 mg per liter).

Second, negative ions such as sulfur (372 mg per liter), bicarbonates (366 mg per liter), nitrate (273 mg per liter), phosphate (0.25 mg per liter) and ammonia (6 mg per liter).

Zam zam water molecules

The content-the content of chemical elements is what makes sense from Zamzam water is very distinctive and are believed to provide special properties. Water that is ready to eat are scattered around the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah is the water that has been processed so it is safe and refreshing drink, there are already cooled and there is a cool (warm). But perhaps this higienisasi process does not use chemical processes to avoid changes in flavor and content of this water.