Dry hydrants are the non-pressurized equivalent of fire hydrants found in the urban areas. Instead of drawing from municipal water systems, dry hydrants are permanently installed in ponds or lakes and use their water to fight fires. The ponds chosen must be large enough to have sufficient water reserve year-round. The minimum water output required to fight a fire is 1,200 gallons per minute for two hours, or approximately 30,000 gallons.

Each dry hydrant can serve up to a three-mile radius. They are connected to pipes that are sunk two feet underwater in the pond or lake, far below the frost line. This way, pipes don't freeze in winter and fire companies can get water even if there is ice cover. The pipes are self-draining, so water does not freeze inside.

Firefighters use dry hydrants in two ways. If close enough, firefighters attach a hose to the dry hydrant and pump water directly from the pond to the fire. Or, if they have to travel a distance to a fire site, they can pull water from the pond into tanker trucks and transport it to the site.

The Butler County Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Penn's Corner Resource Conservation and Development, and Central Electric are working to provide dry hydrants for municipalities and fire companies. Please contact the Butler County Conservation District for more information.