Is it permissible to provide public drinking fountains (sabil) from zakat funds or fidya for fasting, and is providing public drinking fountains considered an ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah)?

It is not permissible to spend zakat and fidyah money on purchasing public drinking water (sabil) and public utilities, because the disbursements of zakat are legally specified for the eight categories, and it is a condition that it be handed over to its rightful recipient. As for fidyah, it is given to the poor. Those who are not deserving or poor may benefit from public drinking water. The majority of scholars hold that giving the monetary value is not sufficient for zakat or expiation. As for endowing public drinking water, it is an ongoing charity for which the doer is rewarded.