Rural living is a way of life for most Claverack members. Many of us would not consider living anywhere else. Life in the country has many benefits, such as good neighbors, low crime, fresh air and outdoor recreational activities. Like many things in life, we must take the bad with the good. One disadvantage of rural life is limited fire protection.

Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative is helping to improve rural fire protection through our dry hydrant program. A dry hydrant is an 8-inch PVC pipe permanently installed in a pond or lake. It is called a dry hydrant because it is not pressurized like a fire hydrant. Rural fire companies use dry hydrants to deliver large quantities of water to fires in rural areas. There are currently several hundred dry hydrants installed throughout the state.

Claverack's dry hydrant program, which started in 1994, represents a partnership of fire companies, municipalities, landowners, the Conservation District and your electric cooperative. The goal of this program is to continually improve fire protection in rural areas.

Local fire companies identify potential sites for dry hydrants, based on need. Claverack Electric will provide free of charge a dry hydrant kit including: a 6-inch dry hydrant head (45 or 90 degree) to which a fire hose may be attached, an 8-inch strainer pipe for pond installation and a sign. The land owner or municipality often provides the needed equipment and labor for the installation and the required piping. The Conservation District provides any needed permits, surveys and design.

Any Claverack-provided dry hydrant installation must be coordinated through your local fire company. To find out more about improving rural fire protection with your pond, please contact your Claverack Member Services representative at the numbers below.

Additional Information :

Dry Hydrant Testimonial

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