Heatwave water point
On the hottest days, cool drinking water, saline and shade at a junction for rickshaw pullers, labourers and passers-by.
- 0/4 people
- About 6 hours
- 10
- points
About this task
Meherpur, on the country’s western border, has fierce summers. On heatwave days, at a rickshaw stand or busy junction with the next shop’s consent: filtered cool water in covered drums, oral saline and a tarpaulin’s shade, from 11 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. Volunteers also point out the signs of heat illness.
Why it matters
In recent years April and May temperatures often pass 40 degrees. Those who work in the sun (rickshaw pullers, builders, hawkers) are most at risk of heatstroke, yet safe water on the road is hard to find.
What changes after
The water point ran on the set days; a count of glasses and saline given; the next-door shop willing to run it next summer.
Who can join
Anyone; for the midday shift, those who can bear the sun.
Step by step
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 7.5 hours across all steps
- 1
Spot and permission
A rickshaw stand or busy junction, the next shop’s consent.
60 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Water drum and shade
Covered drum of filtered water, a way to wash glasses, tarpaulin shade.
90 minপানির ড্রাম, ত্রিপল
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
The midday shift
11 am to 4 pm: refilling, and pointing out the signs of heat illness.
300 minস্যালাইন
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- Covered water drums · ২টি
- Oral saline · ১০০ প্যাকেট
- Tarpaulin · ১টি
When it counts as done
- The water point ran on the set days
Proof required
- Photo
Safety
Only filtered or boiled water. If someone faints, lay them in the shade and call 999.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳5,600–10,200
- People
- 4
- Time in all
- 6 hours
- Age
- 16 or older
Best timeApril and May, and any day the Meteorological Department warns of a heatwave. 11 am to 4 pm, the hottest hours.
PermissionGet the next-door shop owner's consent. On a town footpath or junction, tell the ward councillor's office or municipality, and never block the road or footpath.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Water drum with lid and tap (about 100 litres)2Where: Plastic goods shop | 2 | ৳1,000–1,800 |
| Filtered water jars (20 litres)about 30 over 3 daysWhere: Water jar supplier | about 30 over 3 days | ৳40–80 |
| Oral saline (ORS)100 sachetsWhere: Pharmacy | 100 sachets | ৳6–8 |
| Tarpaulin (shade) and rope1Where: Tarpaulin or hardware shop | 1 | ৳800–1,500 |
| Steel glasses10Where: Utensil shop | 10 | ৳40–80 |
| Bucket, mug and soap for washing glasses1 setWhere: Grocery and plastic shop | 1 set | ৳300–500 |
| Banner: “Free drinking water”1Where: Flex print shop | 1 | ৳300–600 |
| Total (about) | ৳5,600–10,200 | |
Getting ready, step by step
7 days before
- Choose a rickshaw stand or busy junction with a shop beside it, where the footpath stays clear.
- Get the shop owner's consent; decide where the drums stay overnight.
- Check the forecast and fix which days to run.
3 days before
- Buy drums, glasses, saline and tarpaulin; wash the drums with soap and dry them.
- Agree daily morning delivery with the water jar supplier.
- Teach the team the signs of heatstroke and what to do.
The day before
- Set shifts: nobody stays in the sun more than two hours at a stretch.
- Pack the banner, rope and stools.
On the day
- By 10:30 put up the tarpaulin and fill the drums; lids always closed.
- Tick in a notebook each hour how many glasses and sachets went out.
- If anyone looks ill from heat, bring them to the shade and cool them.
The week after
- Wash and dry the drums and tarpaulin and keep them at the shop for the next heatwave.
- Ask whether the shop owner will run it himself next time.
Who does what
Lead1
Spot and consent, water jar supply, shift list.
Water and hygiene2
Fill drums, keep lids shut, wash every glass with soap.
Health helper1
Mix saline, take ill people to the shade, call 999 when needed.
Whom to speak to first
The next-door shop owner
- Why
- Shade, a place to sit, overnight storage, and the chance he runs it next year.
- How
- Explain in person and get consent in writing; put the shop's name on the banner if he wishes.
The ward councillor's office or municipality
- Why
- To avoid objections to using the footpath; they sometimes help with water.
- How
- Inform them with a short letter and keep the received copy.
The rickshaw pullers' group or stand leader
- Why
- Those it is for will spread the word and help keep order.
- How
- Visit the stand the day before and tell them.
The day, hour by hour
- 10:00Gather; receive water jars and check the seals.
- 10:30Put up tarpaulin, fill drums, set the washing bucket, hang banner.
- 11:00Water point opens; first shift.
- 13:00Shift change; the first team rests in shade and drinks.
- 14:00Hottest time: more saline needed, watch for signs of illness.
- 15:00Last shift; check the water count.
- 16:00Empty and wash drums, take down tarpaulin, store at the shop, photograph the notebook.
How to take the proof
- A full photo of the water point: banner, drums and shade together, with the date.
- A photo of each day's notebook count of glasses and saline.
- People taking water, from far or behind, no faces, not without consent.
- Receipts for purchases and water jars.
Common first-time mistakes
- Giving tap water or water of unknown source.
- Passing the same glass round unwashed.
- Using disposable plastic cups that end up on the road.
- Mixing saline at the wrong strength; mix in clean water at the amount on the sachet.
What can go wrong, and what to do
Someone collapses or faints (heatstroke)
Lay them in the shade, loosen clothes, sponge with a wet cloth and fan; if awake, give small sips of cool water or saline; if unconscious, give nothing by mouth and call 999 at once.
The water gets contaminated
Use only sealed filtered or boiled water; keep lids shut, never dip hands or glasses in the drum, pour from the tap; when in doubt, empty the whole drum.
A volunteer gets ill from the heat
No more than two hours in the sun at a stretch; cap, water, rest; stop and go to shade at the first sign.
Objections over blocking the footpath
Set up beside the shop and keep the walkway open; if someone objects, move politely.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
WhatsApp / Facebook invitation
Heatwave water point: volunteers needed! Where: [junction/rickshaw stand], [area] When: [dates], 11 am to 4 pm What: cool filtered water and saline, and shade, for rickshaw pullers, workers and passers-by. Pick a two-hour shift. Bring a cap and your own water bottle. Age 16 and up. No money is being collected. To join, send a request on this task's page on Desher Kaj, or tell [lead's name] in this group.
Letter to the shop owner and ward office
Date: [date] To The owner, [shop name], [address] Copy: Ward Councillor's Office, [ward number], [municipality/city corporation] Subject: Setting a free drinking water point on heatwave days. Sir/Madam, We are [team name], a volunteer team on the Desher Kaj platform. On heatwave days, [dates], from 11 am to 4 pm, we wish to give filtered water and oral saline free, from two covered drums under a tarpaulin, beside your shop. We will keep the walkway open, keep the place clean, and pack everything away each afternoon. We would be grateful if the two drums could stay in your shop overnight. Yours faithfully [Name], team lead [team name]
After it is done
- Wash, dry and store drums, glasses and tarpaulin together; next heatwave it restarts in an hour.
- If the shop owner agrees, see whether a few neighbours can share the cost of water jars.
- Add up the daily counts in an update: how many days, glasses and sachets.
Questions people ask
What are the signs of heatstroke?
Dizziness, nausea, sweating stops, confusion. Lay them in the shade, sponge with a wet cloth, call 999.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.