A technician washing the inside wall of a water tank with a pressure hose

Water tank cleaning in Al Zahir Makkah

Al Zahir is an old quarter at Makkah's northern entrance on the Madinah road, north west of the Grand Mosque, with old apartment blocks surrounded by hospitals, museums and public libraries. Mountains and wadis ring the district and buildings sit at different elevations, so tanks endure uneven pressure and leak from ageing foundations exposed to high groundwater.

Call now Message us on WhatsApp

Potable-rated materials

Linings and disinfectants cleared for drinking water tanks, not general-purpose products.
You get the downtime first

How many hours the tank is out of service, told before we start rather than after we finish.
A first-draw flush

We run the first draw off after refilling, and the tank is not handed back until the water runs clear.
Ground and roof tanks

Villas, apartment blocks and premises that need a written record of each visit.

Why the job is different in Al Zahir

Tanks here leak due to ageing foundations and hilly terrain, and high groundwater enters the ground tanks from below. The method is set out in full on the full Water tank cleaning page.

The first reason

Mountain terrain creates severe pressure imbalance

The district sits on slopes of Jabal Al Zahir, Jabal Al Barud and within Wadi Al Zahir, with buildings scattered at varying elevations. Altitude differences create uneven pressure, and tanks at the base suffer very high pressure while those higher up struggle.

The second reason

Ageing foundations leak contaminated water into the tank

Old buildings in Al Zahir have weak foundations and ground tanks leak. Seepage brings contaminated water and bacteria from the surrounding soil directly into the tank.

The third reason

The wadi and high groundwater raise mould and moisture

Wadi Al Zahir carries water after rain, and groundwater is high throughout the district. Moisture accelerates mould and fungal growth in tanks and pipes.

Al Zahir on the map

Al Zahir sits about 1.5 km from Al Diyafah and about 1.5 km from Al Shuhada.

Open in Google Maps

Before treatment

The condition of the tank decides the method

Al Zahir is an old district in the north west corner of the Haram area, on hillsides and within a wadi, with old apartment buildings and several public facilities.

Fine brown sediment beneath shallow water

The layer on the floor

The floor collects heavy sediment from groundwater and contaminants leaking in through old cracked foundations.

Light and algae

Light and algae appear quickly from high moisture and nutrients in the groundwater.

A damp concrete wall carrying a dark deposit

The deposit on the wall

Wall deposits form from fungal and mould films from constant moisture and groundwater.

A concrete surface with a fine hairline crack

The lining and hairline cracks

The plastic lining may crack from uneven pressure and constant moisture from seeping groundwater.

The lid of a water tank on a building roof

The lid and the access hatch

The lid and access hatches rust quickly from high moisture and mould.

A plastic pipe leaving the exterior wall of a building

The vent and the overflow pipe

Vent openings and overflow pipes clog from fungal and mould growth due to moisture.

How we work

1
Inspect before the drain

Tank type and material, the condition of the lining, the depth of the sediment, the lid and the vent, and where the drained water will go. We agree the window without supply before anything is opened.
2
Drain, then lift the sludge

The water leaves through the outlet, then the layer beneath it is taken out by hand and by suction. That layer is the reason for the visit, not the water that ran out ahead of it.
3
High pressure wash

Walls, floor and the joint where they meet, with a brush wherever the film resists, then the wash water is taken out completely so nothing we lifted settles again.
4
Disinfect and put back in service

Disinfectant over every internal surface, left for its contact time and then rinsed out, followed by the refill, a first draw off at the taps, and a report on what was inside the tank.

What water tank cleaning includes

An inspection before the valve

Tank type, lining condition, depth of sediment, lid and vent, recorded before any water leaves.
Full drain and sediment removal

The water through the outlet, and the layer below it by hand and by suction until the floor itself is showing.
Pressure washing walls and floor

High pressure across the surfaces and corners, and a brush on anything water alone will not lift.
Disinfection after the wash

A disinfectant intended for drinking water tanks, named to you before it is used, left for its contact time and then rinsed out.
Refill and the first draw off

We refill, run the taps so the new water moves through the pipework, and tell you when it is ready to use.
A report and the next date

What was inside the tank, anything on the lid or the lining that needs repair, and a sensible date for the next clean.

Landmarks of Al Zahir

Al Zahir sits at Makkah's northern entrance on Madinah Road, and King Abdulaziz Hospital and the Makkah Museum of Antiquities and Heritage are the main landmarks. Access to tanks runs along the Third Ring Road and Hajun Street, and cleaning is organised around the health and cultural facilities in the district.

Madinah Road
Third Ring Road
King Abdulaziz Hospital
Makkah Museum of Antiquities and Heritage
Holy Capital Public Library
Al Diyafah Mall

Questions about this district

Why does water turn cloudy so quickly in Al Zahir?

Ageing foundations leak and groundwater enters ground tanks. Soil contaminants seep in with the groundwater.

Does the mountainous terrain affect water pressure?

Yes, the large elevation difference causes uneven pressure. Upper and lower floors experience very different pressures.

Can groundwater enter an old ground tank?

In Al Zahir groundwater is very high, and old ground tanks leak. Seepage allows contaminants to enter.

Does the wadi affect water quality after heavy rain?

Wadi Al Zahir may flood after heavy rains, and extra moisture may seep into the tank area.

Why does mould smell appear in the tank?

High moisture and groundwater accelerate fungal and mould growth in the tank and pipes.

Should we also check foundations and leaks?

Tank cleaning alone is not enough if foundations are leaking. Foundation inspection and repair may be necessary.

How much does water tank cleaning in Al Zahir cost?

It is set after the inspection, because the price follows the type of infestation, the size of the space, how far it has spread and the number of visits it needs. Send a photo and a description on WhatsApp and we will give you an estimate before we reach Al Zahir.