‘The Messenger of Allah (saw) was asked, “Which charity is best?” He replied, “[Providing] water”’.
(Abu Dawud)
You can build a hand pump or well in someone else’s name
On the authority of Sa‘d bin ’Ubadah that he said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Umm (mother of) Sa‘d has died, so which charity is best?’ He (saw) replied, ‘[Providing] water’. He (ra) said, ‘So [Sa’d] dug a well and said, “This (well) is for Umm Sa‘d”’. [Abu Dawud]
We often remember our loved ones who have passed away, and many of us want to give Sadaqah Jariyah in their name during.
In the above hadith, the Prophet (saw) recommended water as the best charity to give in someone’s name. Every time someone breaks their fast using this water; every time someone wears the clothes washed with that water; every time someone eats a vegetable grown from that water - both of you will be rewarded for that.
It is the ultimate Sadaqah Jariyah
The gift of water can often bring communities back to life through the ultimate Sadaqah Jariyah chain reaction. Clean water leads to healthy livestock, healthy people, more children in school, more women in jobs, improved agriculture and sustainable livelihoods. By building a well in a deprived community, you will get the reward for every single one of these things, insha Allah.