RIPTON — Billings Bridge on Natural Turnpike Road in Ripton now has a dry hydrant. Ripton Fire and Rescue completed installation of the hydrant on June 19. The installation of is part of a comprehensive program to improve fire protection in Ripton.
Dry hydrants are a preferred method of providing water for firefighting in areas without water mains. A dry hydrant consists of a six- to eight-inch pipe with a fitting for a fire pumper or tanker to attach. The pipe connects to a water source (pond or stream) that can supply at least 60,000 gallons under drought conditions.
The design of the Billing’s Bridge hydrant allows the pipe to be stored in a horizontal position when not in use. This simple layout helps to avoid damage by floodwaters — an issue with other stream-installed dry hydrants.
The hydrant was installed as part of Ripton Fire and Rescue’s plan to install dry hydrants to increase the availability and accessibility of water for firefighting purposes. The Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force, through the Northern Vermont Resource Conservation and Development Council, provided grant, design, and consulting assistance in developing the plan to improve Ripton’s water supply.
The program, aimed at assisting rural communities in installing dry hydrants for improved fire protection, is part of appropriations approved by the Vermont Legislature.