CALCUTTA — The Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department is preparing to install dry hydrants in several locations.

The four dry hydrants which tap into an existing water supply such as a lake were purchased with a grant of $4,800 which covered the cost of the hydrants and materials.

While the department is still determining where the hydrants will go, Fire Chief Dave McCoy said they are looking to install two of them in the lake behind Busy Beaver on state Route 170.

“The reason for the two of them there is because of the plazas,” McCoy said. “We can catch both plazas if we have a fire, especially one fully involved.”

As of now they would have to tanker in water if a fire broke out in either of the plazas.

McCoy noted that there is a dry hydrant across the lake that was put in about 20 to 30 years ago, but that serves the residents on that side of the lake, and it wouldn’t be that convenient in reaching over to the plazas.

McCoy also said that the more water pulled from a standard hydrant, especially in the winter, the more lines can shake and lead to a water line break, especially if multiple hydrants are in use.

That isn’t so much an issue with the dry hydrants pulling water from the lake.

Currently the department is looking at McCoy Avenue, which has a nearby lake for another location for a dry hydrant, but they have to speak with residents regarding that first.

Another location they are considering is off of Old Thirty Town Road where a housing development is but doesn’t have water to it, and residents are still on wells there.

McCoy said the department may be able to come up with enough materials to install a fifth hydrant, but that isn’t definite yet.

The CVFD will work with the St. Clair Township Road Department for equipment to help use for the installation of them.

McCoy doesn’t have a set date to start the installation of the hydrants but expects it to begin soon.