Why build a water well?
Access to clean water is a basic human right — yet over 700 million people worldwide still lack safe drinking water. In rural Pakistan, entire villages walk kilometres daily to collect contaminated water from rivers, ponds, or hand-dug holes. The result? Waterborne diseases that kill thousands of children every year.
Building a water well is one of the most powerful forms of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity) in Islam. Every person, animal, and crop that benefits from the well earns continuous reward for the donor — even after death.
What is Sadaqah Jariyah?
Sadaqah Jariyah means "flowing charity" — a charitable act whose benefits continue long after the initial donation. Unlike regular Sadaqah (which is spent once), Sadaqah Jariyah keeps generating reward as long as people benefit from it.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "When a person dies, their deeds are cut off except for three: ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), knowledge that benefits others, and a righteous child who prays for them." (Muslim)
A water well is the classic example of Sadaqah Jariyah:
- The well provides clean water for years or decades
- Every drink, every meal cooked, every crop irrigated earns you reward
- The reward continues even after your passing
- You can dedicate it to deceased loved ones
Types of water wells HBSMWA builds
Hand pump wells (Pakistan)
- Depth: 60–150 feet depending on water table
- Serves: 100–300 people (a small village/neighbourhood)
- Lifespan: 10–20 years with basic maintenance
- Cost: From £150–£300
- Locations: Rural Punjab, Sindh, Tharparkar, and Southern KPK
Deep bore wells (Pakistan)
- Depth: 150–400+ feet
- Serves: 300–1,000+ people
- Lifespan: 15–30 years
- Cost: From £1,500–£3,000
- Features: Solar-powered pump, concrete platform, drainage system
- Locations: Water-scarce regions of Sindh, Thar Desert, Balochistan
Community water stations
- Type: Filtered water dispensing point connected to a bore well
- Serves: 500–2,000+ people
- Cost: From £3,000–£5,000
- Features: Filtration system, multiple taps, covered structure
- Ideal for: Schools, madrasahs, marketplaces, and urban slums
Where HBSMWA builds wells
Tharparkar, Sindh
One of the most water-scarce regions in Pakistan. Families — particularly women and girls — walk 3–5 kilometres daily to fetch brackish, often contaminated water. Infant mortality from waterborne diseases is among the highest in the country.
Southern Punjab
Agricultural communities dependent on groundwater that is rapidly depleting. Many existing wells have dried up or become contaminated with arsenic and fluoride.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
Flood-affected and earthquake-displaced communities with destroyed water infrastructure. Temporary camps need permanent water solutions.
The impact of one well
A single hand pump well serving 200 people:
- Provides 73,000 litres of clean water per year
- Saves women and girls 3+ hours daily previously spent fetching water
- Reduces waterborne diseases (diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid) by up to 80%
- Enables girls to attend school instead of carrying water
- Supports small-scale agriculture and livestock
- Improves hygiene and sanitation for the entire community
How the process works
Step 1: You donate
Choose your well type and make your donation online through HBSMWA's secure portal. You can dedicate the well to a loved one (living or deceased).
Step 2: We identify the location
Our ground teams survey water-scarce communities, test water tables, and select the most impactful location. Priority is given to areas with no existing clean water access.
Step 3: Construction begins
Licensed local contractors drill the well, install the pump mechanism, and build the concrete platform. Deep bore wells include solar panels for sustainable pumping.
Step 4: Community handover
The well is officially handed to the community with a dedication plaque bearing the donor's chosen name/inscription. Community members are trained in basic maintenance.
Step 5: You receive your report
HBSMWA sends you:
- GPS coordinates of your well
- Photographs of construction and completion
- A video of the community using the well (where possible)
- The inscription plaque with your dedication
Dedicating a well to the deceased
One of the most beautiful aspects of water well charity is that you can donate on behalf of someone who has passed away. The reward reaches them in their grave.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked: "My mother has died — will it benefit her if I give charity on her behalf?" He replied: "Yes." The man said: "I have an orchard; I bear witness that I give it in charity on her behalf." (Bukhari)
Many donors build wells in the name of:
- Deceased parents or grandparents
- Spouses, siblings, or children who have passed
- Friends or teachers
- As a collective project from a family
The dedication plaque reads, for example: "This well is donated by [Your Name] on behalf of [Deceased Name]. May Allah grant them Jannah."
Water well vs. other Sadaqah Jariyah options
| Charity type | Impact duration | Cost | Reward potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water well | 10–30 years | £150–£5,000 | Very high (daily use by hundreds) |
| Masjid contribution | Decades/centuries | Varies | Very high (every prayer earns reward) |
| Planting trees | 20–100+ years | £10–£50 per tree | Moderate (shade, fruit, oxygen) |
| Educational material | Years | £50–£500 | High (knowledge spreads) |
| Solar panel for mosque | 15–25 years | £500–£2,000 | High (enables worship) |
Water wells consistently rank among the highest-impact Sadaqah Jariyah options because of the frequency of use (multiple times daily) and number of beneficiaries (hundreds of people per well).
Can Zakat be used for water wells?
This depends on the context:
- If the well serves individuals who are Zakat-eligible (Fuqara — the poor who cannot afford clean water), then the cost of providing water to them can be covered by Zakat according to many scholars
- If the well is a general community project or serves a mixed population, it is better funded through Sadaqah or Sadaqah Jariyah
- HBSMWA clearly separates Zakat and Sadaqah projects to ensure compliance
When in doubt, donate your water well under Sadaqah Jariyah for maximum flexibility and guaranteed validity.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build a well? Hand pump wells: 2–4 weeks. Deep bore wells: 4–8 weeks. Community water stations: 6–12 weeks. Timelines vary with weather, terrain, and contractor availability.
Will my well have my name on it? Yes. Every well includes a dedication plaque with your chosen inscription (your name, deceased's name, or a du'a). You choose the wording.
What happens if the well breaks down? HBSMWA trains local community members in basic maintenance. For major repairs, our teams revisit the site. Deep bore wells with solar pumps require minimal maintenance.
Can I visit my well? Yes. HBSMWA can arrange site visits for donors who wish to see their well in person (travel at donor's own expense).
Can a group of people fund one well together? Absolutely. Many families, masjid communities, and WhatsApp groups pool funds for a larger well. All donors are named on the plaque.
Is this tax-deductible? HBSMWA is a registered charity. Donations may qualify for tax relief — please check with your local tax authority.
Build your well today
Every day without clean water is a day of suffering for hundreds of families. Your well can change that — permanently. And every sip of water becomes a reward written in your book of deeds, flowing endlessly, even beyond this life.
Build a well through HBSMWA — from £150. The reward that never stops flowing.