[4][3] The name "Heri es-Swani" often applies to both the House of the Ten Norias and the silos, which are connected to each other and visited as a single attraction by tourists today.

This water was drawn directly from the phreatic table in the House of the Ten Norias using a mechanical hydraulic system of chained buckets turned by a wheel.

[4][6][10] This water supply and underground plumbing system is considered to be a century ahead of the infrastructure found in contemporary European palaces and constructions.

These domed chambers each held a noria or mechanical hydraulic system which drew water from a deep well reaching down to the phreatic table, via a series of pails or buckets chained together and raised by a horse-drawn wheel.

[6][17][5] The Heri as-Swani itself is a vast area of silos which are adjoined to the southwest side of the House of the Ten Norias.

Today, the vaulted roofs have collapsed and disappeared, leaving only the numerous rows of arches, which are considered one of the most impressive sights in the city.

[6] Although the basin was apparently also used for leisure by palace residents who bathed here or wandered around on small boats, its purpose appears to have been primarily utilitarian and integrated to the royal city's water supply.

[17] Possibly because of its importance, it was enclosed by its own two-meter-thick defensive wall, of which only a small section remains to the southwest (separating it from the Beni Mohammed neighbourhood beyond).