About Zamzam Well
The Zamzam well lies some 20 m east of the Kaaba and is about 30 m deep. Since 1964, the mouth of the well has been in an underground room closed to the public, and the old basement entrances were covered in 2003, which enlarged the mataf. According to tradition, the water appeared for Hajar and little Ismail after her search between Safa and Marwa.
Today the water is pumped about 5 km to the Kudai station, opened in 2010, where it is filtered and treated with ultraviolet light before returning by pipeline to the mosque's drinking points. Containers of chilled and room-temperature water stand along the corridors and courtyards, and attendants walk around with tanks on their backs. Small bottles are also handed out free of charge.
