Preserving Pressure, Protecting Service: Upgrading Hydrant Infrastructure In Kent County

When Kent County Water Authority faced the urgent replacement of a 94-year-old hydrant tied to a 1931 cast iron main, they were determined to maintain fire protection and avoid customer disruption. With more than 50 customers at risk of a service outage and a potential boil advisory, shutting down the main wasn’t an option—especially with 122 PSI static pressure complicating the situation. The utility turned to the Hydra-Stop Insta-Valve 250, completing the installation in just two hours without any loss of service.

This no-shutdown solution allowed crews to isolate the repair site safely and efficiently, avoiding unnecessary risk to field personnel and preserving water service for the surrounding area. The success of the project reinforced the value of forward-thinking infrastructure strategies, proving that even aging, high-pressure systems can be upgraded with minimal impact when the right tools are used.