Eighty Fire Hydrants Added In And Around Marshall, Helping Fire Response And Lowering Insurance Costs

New water and wastewater infrastructure improvements that are part of the Marshall Area Jobs, Opportunity and Recreation (MAJOR) Campus include adding 80 new fire hydrants along 14 miles of nearby roadways, giving firefighters quick access to water to fight fires and helping to keep response times low.

Firefighters previously had to bring a water truck to respond to a fire at businesses and residences along these stretches of 15 Mile Road, Verona Road and Michigan Avenue. The new hydrants now will allow quick hookups to water, helping firefighters more quickly put out fires, said Marshall Township Fire Chief Jay Riggs.

“These new hydrants give our firefighters rapid access to water so we can quickly contain a fire and avoid a catastrophic spread,” Riggs said. “Our firefighters will be able to nimbly respond to fires, keeping our response times low and helping to save people and property.”

Three-quarters of the 44 hydrants installed in Marshall Township and the city of Marshall are working and the other third will be active by the start of the year. Crews also installed a 20-inch water transmission main along 15 Mile Road between Verona Road and Michigan Avenue, which completes the large loop to supply water from Battle Creek.

Insurers set rates based on a variety of factors, including fire response times and nearby hydrant locations. Residents and businesses who live along the corridors with the newly added hydrants could see lower insurance costs, allowing them to save money. Houses and businesses located near fire stations or hydrants also can qualify for an insurance discount or credit.

Dozens of hydrants added along 8 miles of Verona Road and 6 miles of Michigan Avenue benefit businesses and residences across several municipalities, including those in the city of Battle Creek and Emmett Township. Of the 36 hydrants installed in those two communities, 30% are working and the remaining 70% will be active by the beginning of 2025.

“Emmett Township residents and businesses will be better protected from quick-spreading fires because of these new hydrants,” said Deb Belles, Emmett Township supervisor. “We’ll also have a better maintained water system because hydrants flush pipelines, allowing us to monitor pressure and ensure clean water.”

Battle Creek-based Hoffman Brothers and Lansing-based Granger Construction have been working on water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in and around the MAJOR Campus, which spans about 1,900 acres. When completed, new infrastructure as part of this effort will include:

• 14 miles of water transmission main
• 4.5-million-gallon water storage tank
• 1 new and 1 upgraded water pump station
• 2 miles of wastewater force main
• 1 new sanitary pump station
• Water treatment plant upgrades
• Wastewater treatment plant upgrade