what year is your fire truck? can You prime your pump without having any water pressure?

My firetruck was made by Tonka in the early 60s. Water pressure is non-existent. And I am still not driving it to Texas.

Oh ok. I thought you were being serious. I had one of them tonka fire trucks as well. Believe it held water in the tires?

You are asking questions for which only your local officials know the answers.

Oh ok. Sorry

I have a cabin in a rural area, there was a fire, the fire department used a local stream for water. The firemen setup a small wading pool type water containment, they pumped water into the pool, then fed that water to the fire truck. I think the firemen will use local resources, if a pond is available they will use that, if a tanker is available, they will use that. Based on what I saw, I do not know if a fireman will refill directly from a pond because there may be things in the pond that may damage the plumbing on the truck.

There is a logging road near the cabin, the logging company uses a local stream for its water truck, the truck pumps water directly from the stream. Same stream used for the fire, but a couple of miles away. The water at the logging company watering hole is 10-12’ deep, the water depth at the fire site is 2-3’ deep.

I have a gas powered water pump with a lot of hose, I will pull water directly from the stream while waiting for the FD. My water intake is screened, depth is 3-4’.

I used to live in a rural area with no public water, many homes had ponds. My friends barn burned one night, the fire departments when to nearby ponds and pumped the water into their trucks. They also set up "pool" on the street (like mentioned above), and dumped the water into that pool, and went to get more water ... the fire trucks on the scene pumped from the "pool". I did get a credit on my fire insurance for having a pond close to my house.

FIre departments can draft from any water source if they can access the water and the water is deep enough. I attached a slide from one of our classes. Essentially you need deep enough water so the suction doesn't pull debris into the pump.

On our department, we have multiple fire departments nearby that can assist with hauling water for rural fires, so we typically avoid drafting from standing water sources if possible. Clean water from hydrants is better for the longevity of the pumps than dirty water from ponds and rivers. The dirty water can also clog water nozzles depending on the type of nozzle used.. However, it takes a lot of trucks to supply a large structure fire, so it's easy to foresee preferring to draft from a pond or river.

Distance from a good hydrant is key to knowing if a brigade of tankers is adequate. If I have a 10 minute drive to the hydrant, it will take about 25 minutes per run of the truck. So a 2,000 gallon tanker can supply approx. 80 gallons per minute (GPM). A large fire can easily flow 500GPM, so you would need seven 2,000 gallon tankers constantly running at a 10 minute drive each direction.

Side note: I'd like to see the dock strong enough to drive a truck on! We do this from shore.

Good info. And the discussion is brought up because code Enforcement would like for me to add a fire hydrant on my side of highway before they will allow me to build on my property. The distance is approximately 80 feet but the costs to bore under the highway is $20,000. So of course a pond would be my preference if the same outcome can be achieved. The hydrant is currently located across the highway and would keep fire dept from traveling across the highway for more water if needed.

I would classify being 80 feet away from a hydrant as an ideal setup. I recommend having a chat with the local fire department, get their opinion. If they are like most fire fighters they will enjoy discussing fire operations. Bring donuts or cookies. :)

Ponds or sources other than a well or a hydrant are used only in an emergency not as a matter of norm. What if the pond were dry during a hot stretch and your house was on fire? How would you and your insurance company feel then about a pond or a hydrant?

is it possible to make adapter off water well with a fire hose adapter? If so then that can be arranged. And level floats can be added to pond to keep proper level. hydrant would be 80 feet further if it’s not added. I doubt this makes catastrophic change in outcome. And right now I’m looking to add RV. Which is expendable

Re ponds or other sources of water being used only in an emergency, well doesn’t a fire qualify as an emergency. FWIW, not every Home has city water.

I can’t image a domestic well being able to supply a fire truck.

A domestic well cannot supply a fire truck. Areas without city water do one of two things:

1) they draft from a well. Looks like a hydrant but is really a fully fed cistern from ground water. Or.

2) they have the same setup but call it an electric well and have a submersable pump in the cistern.

Again, I would certainly check with your homerowners insurance company as they may not take the situation as lightly as you.

I have a project of renovating a historic inn where the swimming pool is the water supply for the fire suppression system.

(just thought I would throw that out there regardless of its relevance)

If you have a fire hydrant that close as a possibility, there’s no question but that will be a requirement to make city water available to the property as a condition to obtain a permit. That is by far the best solution. The insurance savings alone will pay for that over just a few years time.

Well I’m drilling a water well. And something has failed years ago because there is atleast 8 homes I have counted where I want to construct and they all have city water and would all be in same fire hydrant risk as I would be. So maybe this is up to the city to build a hydrant. And not me.

Well that is an question only the city can answer. And it is tough for anyone here to give you their thoughts on the situation when you keep giving the particulars as you answer instead of all the info up front.............................

That’s why I asked a particular question. I didn’t intend to go this in depth. Appreciate the responses though

Look into to installing a home sprinkler system in lieu of the hydrant.

Unfortunately, I don't think we can give you a firm answer for your location. It will depend on where you are. And that locale's regulations.

I know I didn't get homeowners' insurance unless my rural property was less than 3 miles away from the fire station. (It is about two miles away). I also know that the local business (approx. 25 employees) needed to put in a fire pond before they could be covered, even though they are well less than half a mile away from the fire station, probably more like a quarter mile.

We live rural, there are NO fire hydrants around here whatsoever. (Those poor puppy dogs!!! Nothing for raising their legs against!) All our home water sources are from wells.

These local fire trucks do have (because it's needed as there are NO fire hydrants here) tanks of water. It will depend on speed of deployment and the volunteer fire staff ability, as to whether your (or my) house will be saved. It can't hurt to discuss what you may need extra for your own property, that they can tap into. In rural areas, yes, they know and do tap into pond water.

In ANY case, talk to your prospective town!

Quick answer - If you live where it is rural and there's no water lines - yes, fire departments will typically use pond water to fight fires, if available. There's often nothing else. But always check your town code AND facilities, first.

I also have three high-grade fire extinguishers in my house (kitchen, basement, garage). I know how to use them. I'm also willing to (however reluctantly) cut my losses should I absolutely need to, and scram. Which would also be true if I weren't rural.

No hydrants on the farm, but we are waterfront. Have had a couple fires, the firefighters have pulled water from the river running hoses up to half a mile. While not optimal it works, though the vegetation did not like the salt content from the water...

Ok. Thanks everyone. Good discussion here. I believe city recently taking over jurisdiction is part of the problem. I’ll use my best judgement and carry on.