The Health Security of Drinking Water in Sacred City: the Hydraulic and Zam Zam Projects in Mecca as Cases

Abstract

As the first Islamic sacred city, the health security of drinking water in Mecca has been highly concerned since ancient time. As a unique potable water resource of Mecca, the health security of Bir Zam Zam has aroused the high attention of Muslims and related countries all over the world, which is closely related to the special status generated by the origin of the role in the sa’y ceremony of the hajj. Because of this, Zam Zam water is widely regarded as ‘sacred water’ and appears the phenomenon of religious alienation in its health function. In 2013, Saudi Arabia launched a new Bir Zam Zam project to improve water quality by more scientific and technological means. Relevant tests found that its water quality could meet the potable water standards of the World Health Organisation and the American Public Health Association, but there were also voices of doubt from abroad, and Saudi Arabia also responded to this. With the advent of the post-pandemic era and the resumption of the hajj for Muslims outside Saudi Arabia in 2022, the consumption of Bir Zam Zam by pilgrims and Muslims will rise to high levels, inevitably leading to an upward risk to international health security.