Dry Hydrants

Dinwiddie County Fire & EMS maintains a system of more than 50 dry hydrants located throughout the County. Many of these sites have been installed in conjunction with the Virginia Dept. of Forestry Dry Hydrant Grant Program.

DINWIDDIE COUNTY DRY HYDRANT LOCATIONS (PDF)

A dry hydrant is a non-pressurized pipe system permanently installed in existing lakes, ponds and streams that provides a suction supply of water to a fire department in the event of a fire in areas without municipal hydrants.

In rural areas, a lack of water mains and pressurized fire hydrants can sometimes impair a fire department's ability to do its job quickly and efficiently. The success of a fire departments operation hinges on the distance a truck must travel to fill-up and return to the fire. In many cases these fill-up points are often long distances from the fire and the firefighters are unable to maintain an uninterrupted water source at the scene.

The instillation of a non-pressurized pipe system into local water sources provides a ready means of supplying water to fire engines.

Planning for dry hydrants involves several considerations and involves all those affected so a coordinated effort can take place. Some factors considered are:

• Current and future population and building trends.
• Property values protected.
• Potential for loss.
• Fire history of the area protected.
• Current water supply systems.
• Other potential water sources.

Dinwiddie County Fire & EMS works with land owners to install the dry hydrants in needed areas. Dry hydrants are installed and maintained at no cost to the landowner. The landowner has to simply agree to allow the fire department to access the dry hydrant anytime it is needed. If you are a landowner who has a pond or water source and are interested in this program, please contact the Division of Fire & EMS at 804-469-5388 or by email or for more information please see the Virginia Dept. of Forestry website.