I have a farm where I was raised that we still use spring water for 2 houses and our barn. I have maintained these systems my whole life. I can give you some information about what I use and things I have learned over the years.
1. Be very careful when allowing excavating, tree removal, and ground work of any kind. This should be avoided as it can cause your spring channel to shift or reroute and "dry up" your spring. They do not last forever in most cases, and no one can do any groundwork of any kind, including the city works, that could endanger your spring feed.
2. I run the 1" poly pipe from the source and have check valves along the line. This line is buried up to the house. One house has a basement where the line comes in and is connected to a shallow well water pump. If you have a pump, you do not need a reservoir, tanks, or anything like that and you have good consistent water pressure throughout your house. My other home on the other side of the street the line runs under the road though a culvert and is buried up to a pump house building attached to the house. The pumps are loud so you want them separate from your living space (the newer ones now are not nearly as loud as they used to be). I have 3 filters past the pump that the water is filtered through before coming in and I change these about once a month or as needed.
3. The check valves prevent back flow and help feed the pump the water and you can uses as many as you need depending on the distance and incline you are pumping the water. The water pump is very easy to install and maintain, there are a few learning curves, but it is really the best way to have good water pressure and the least amount of problems. The source area needs to be covered, gated, marked, and no one should be about that area as it is your access point and you don't want anyone messing with that or not seeing it and damaging your water lines. You should put a check valve on the line at the access that is easy to get to. They make the ones that just snap together very easily. This one will filter the sediment from the water that comes from heavy rains and such and it is a easy access point to clean it out and above the ground. I would keep this covered and inaccessible to others.
4. If the water has not been pumped into the house before, then make sure you check all your lines inside to tolerate the pressure increase. My showers at my farm are as good as the showers in my house in the city. My water pressure is fine to run every line in my house at the same time and do laundry and run the dishwasher. Years ago, the city put water mains at these homes and we have not accessed them yet. If there is no main on your property or if the lines do not run down your road, make sure they do not use any explosives to put in lines as they can dry up your spring and they are not allowed to do any such thing without your permission. If they do run lines, have them put a main on your property, but negotiate no minimum fees to be bill to you, as you have your own water source.
5. A water pump is about $400 and it will last you a very long time. There is nothing expensive about this set-up and it is very uncomplicated and works very well. As and extra feature, I have a light attached to my pump so that it comes on when the pump is running. This will indicate there is a water leak somewhere and will save you a lot of grief. If your pump kicks on and no one is using any water, then something is leaking or running. I strongly recommend one if your pump cannot be easily heard running so that you will know there is a problem. I have a breaker just for the water pump and if the light is on and shouldn't be, I just flip the breaker and it stops any water from coming in until you can find the leak. You pump is basically your main and if it is off, no water comes in and it is very easy to turn off and on to install faucets or fix leaks inside the house.
6. Run a line from the source to the house. Put a check valve at the source (may only need the one). Run it into your pump. Put filters after the pump and run it into your house. Easy as Pie.
That being said, I see this is from almost 10 years ago. I posted for anyone who happens across this just as I did. I would love to know if you installed a pump or if you still have this property.
Thank You for sharing your story.
Sincerely - Corey Loyd
