Sanitary Hydrant

A method of evacuating a sanitary hydrant, comprising:

• providing a standpipe having a first end and a second end;
• providing a head for delivering fluid interconnected to said first end of said standpipe;
• providing a fluid reservoir associated with said second end of said standpipe;
• providing a means for altering pressure positioned within said reservoir and interconnected to said second end of said standpipe, said means for altering pressure comprised of a first end, which is interconnected to said standpipe, and a second end associated with a fluid inlet valve with a throat between said first end and said second end of said means for altering pressure;
• providing a bypass tube having a first end interconnected to a location adjacent to said first end of said means for altering pressure and a second end interconnected to a bypass valve, said bypass valve also associated with said second end of said means for altering pressure, wherein when said bypass valve is opened, fluid flows from said inlet valve, through said bypass tube, through said standpipe, and out said hydrant head;
• and wherein when said bypass valve is closed, fluid flows through said means for altering pressure, thereby creating a pressure drop adjacent to said throat that communicates with said reservoir to draw fluid therefrom;
• initiating fluid flow through said head by actuating a handle associated therewith;
• actuating a bypass button that opens the bypass valve such that fluid is precluded from entering said means for altering pressure;
• actuating said bypass button to close said bypass valve;
• flowing fluid through said means for altering pressure;
• evacuating said reservoir;
• ceasing fluid flow through said hydrant;
• and
• draining fluid into said reservoir.