Dry Hydrants Douse High Insurance Premiums

members of Colleton County’s Green Pond Fire Department connect a pumper truck to a dry fire hydrant

Since the NRCS South Carolina RC&D Council initiated the dry hydrant program in 1991, over 3,500 dry hydrants have been installed State-wide resulting in nearly $62 million in annual savings due to lowered insurance premiums and decreased property loss. Dry fire hydrants are non-pressurized pipe systems installed in a pond, lake, or stream to provide a ready supply of water for fire departments to fight fires effectively and efficiently while saving money, response time, and ultimately lives.

With support and funding from other Federal, State, and local partners, the project has resulted in a new Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings.  The Colleton County rating is the lowest in the State which is unusual for such a large county. “It was definitely a team effort and we couldn’t have done it without the assistance of the Lowcountry RC&D Council, the County Administrator, and especially the volunteer fire fighters that gave up weekends to install the hydrants,” explained Colleton County Fire-Rescue Director Barry McRoy. “Diligence, team work, and a can-do attitude are some of the factors that led to a combination of dry hydrants, updated equipment, and trained fire and rescue personnel helped the department reach the low ISO rating, which promises to save residents hundreds of dollars in insurance premiums.”

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For example, one Colleton County resident in the Smoaks Community said that his insurance premium went from over $1,000 to just $600. “This can make a big difference to homeowners who were paying large premiums,” said Lowcountry RC&D Coordinator Steve Edwards. Sections of Colleton County’s ISO rating went from a nine to a four, meaning as much as a 50 percent cut in premiums. “We began installing dry hydrants years ago, but when the Lowcountry RC&D approached us and offered financial assistance, the project really got off the ground,” said McRoy. Colleton County does not have a pressurized water system, thus the fire department depends on water that can be hauled from other sources. “The dry hydrants cut down dramatically on our response time and help to save money as well as lives.”

Colleton County officials are proud of their low ISO rating. “We don’t know of another fire department our size in the country with a similar ISO rating. We are definitely excited about what we have achieved,” said McRoy.

“This project is an excellent example of what RC&D is all about because it merged all levels of government together for a common cause and the result will make a major impact on people’s lives,” said Edwards. For more information, contact the Lowcountry RC&D at 843-549-5596.
Your contact is Amy Maxwell, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 803-765-5402.