Dry Hydrant Program
The Challenge


One of the greatest difficulties facing firefighters in rural areas is obtaining water. While almost all of their trucks carry a tank of water, it does not take much time to deplete that supply. This leaves firefighters needing a place to refill, which can be hard to find in rural areas away from the pressurized hydrant systems of cities. A dry hydrant can be of great benefit to these areas. A dry hydrant is a non-pressurized rural water supply, which if installed correctly, can be dependable, fast, long lasting, and easy to use.

A Wildland/Urban Interface Home
A Wildland/Urban Interface Home
The PWP Solution

Dry hydrants are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, usually consisting of 6-inch PVC pipe extending horizontally out into a water supply and emerging from the ground at a point where fire engines can easily gain access.

A typical water source for a dry hydrant would be a pond or lake; however, other possibilities include rivers, streams, underground tanks, cisterns, or any other reliable water supply. When firefighters arrive at a hydrant, they simply have to hook their hose up to the hydrant, “prime” it by evacuating the air, and draft water using a pump. Having a dry hydrant available can save valuable time, at a time when every second counts.

To date, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Forest Service, as part of the Potomac Watershed Partnership, has installed nine dry hydrants within the Monocacy, Antietam, and Catoctin watersheds.



A dry hydrant into Antietam Creek
Looking Ahead

The Partnership is continuing to seek opportunities for dry-hydrant installations in other parts of the Potomac Watershed.

The effects of an intense wildland fire can still be seen one year later in the area to the left.
A volunteer firefighter testing a recently installed hydrant
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