Meaning
'Dutty water can out fire' — dirty water can still put out a fire. Do not despise humble or lowly help, the proverb teaches: in a crisis, even something or someone you would normally look down on can save you, for everything has its use when the moment demands it. Just as foul water quenches a blaze as well as clean, the person of no standing may be the very one who rescues you, and the saying warns against scorning the humble, since you never know whose help you will need.
Examples
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Nuh look dung pon di likkle help; dutty water can out fire.
Don't look down on small help; dirty water can put out fire.
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A di poor neighba save him — dutty water can out fire.
It was the poor neighbour who saved him — humble help still counts.
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When trouble come, dutty water can out fire.
When trouble comes, even lowly means can rescue you.
Origin
A plain image: clean or dirty, water quenches a fire all the same — worth is proven in the moment of need, not by appearances.
How it’s used
A reminder not to scorn humble people or modest means, because they may be exactly what saves you.