West Virginia Success Story

Dry Fire Hydrants Offers Protection and Reduces Insurance Premiums

Program:  Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

Overview: Isolated, rural communities rarely have access to public water systems for fire protection. A dry hydrant provides a convenient hook-up and a supply of untreated water. In West Virginia where fire departments often have difficulty finding adequate water supplies, dry hydrants can be a tremendous help.

Accomplishments: Mountain RC&D, working with a grant provided by the US Forest Service, completed the installation of six Dry Fire Hydrants in the Council area and provided cost share funding to five of the six landowners. Twelve additional sites have approved agreements and two new applications have been submitted.

Program Benefits to the Community: Residents located within 1000 feet of a dry hydrant and within six miles of a fire department can receive reduced premiums on their fire insurance. Hundreds of dollars a year is saved by each home protected by an approved hydrant. West Virginia is over 80% forested. Each hydrant may offer several thousands of acres of forest land and wildlife habitat protection from deadly fire.

Contact:

Mike Gasper, RC&D Coordinator
Phone: 304-469-9738
Mike.Gasper@wv.usda.gov

Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Office
226 Maple Avenue
Oak Hill, WV 25901
Phone: 304-469-9738, Fax: (304) 469-3718
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/mountain_rcd.html

Dry fire hydrants are non pressurized fire hydrants permanently installed in water sources such as ponds, streams, and cisterns.

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