In rural areas where water mains and conventional fire hydrants are not accessible, installation of permanent dry hydrants may be an alternative solution for firefighting operations. Dry hydrants are non-pressurized pipe systems that draft water from an adjacent body of water (such as a pond or stream).

One end of the pipe system is situated in the water source, and the other end is available near the roadside, where firefighters can connect to the hydrant and pump from the water source.