Understanding the Water System
The Ranch has two water systems. The Spring is gravity flow — used only for animals and filling the swimming pool. The Well is pumped water from a 100' depth, running through the Red and Blue lines.
Gate Valves
Open — parallel to pipe. Close — perpendicular.
All opening and closing is done at the Pump House and close vicinity. There are 3 gate valves on the side of the Pump House, painted Green, Red and Blue. Open the gate valves to let water flow — all gate valves and faucet handles are painted to match the lines. The spring line is one pipe; sometimes it carries spring water, other times well water, depending on which gate valves are open. Those faucet handles are painted Green and Red.
We are no longer using the water box under the Chicken House bathroom — that whole line can be drained at the Lower Grape Arbor Blue faucet. The box is now used for RV hook up and water to the Goat House. To protect the Blue line we now close it year round: since the pump runs all summer, we don't want pressure in the Blue line when no one's there. There's an old, fragile underground connection there (see the Blue line coming from the Pump House toward the upper Grape Arbor).
A) Protect the Water Heaters — they must always have water in them when on. When opening, turn the pump and water heater on last. When closing, turn them off first, before draining the line.
B) Always close the faucets after draining the lines.
Spring Water Operation
Turn On
Close the Green gate valve at Pump House. Open the Green gate valve at the pasture walk-through gate, in the water box on the ground by the wooden post.
Turn Off
Open the Green gate valve at Pump House. Close the Green gate valve at the pasture walk-through gate, in the water box on the ground by the wooden post.
RV Hook Up
Pull the RV up next to the Goat House. Connect the water line to the Blue Faucet on the corner of the building. Go up to the water box below the Chicken House bathroom window and open both Yellow drain gate valves — the Blue valve should already be open. Between the Goat House and the Chicken House there's a Blue faucet by a yellow stake; be sure that faucet is closed. Plug the RV electric cord into the Goat House plug — the fuse box for the Goat House is inside the Chicken House, to the right; turn on the breaker for the Goat House. For sewer, use the toilet hole in the Goat House. Put everything back the way it was when you disconnect. If the water runs warm or hot, you can turn the Hot Water Heater off in the Fuse Box. Remember, this is primitive but it works.
Pump Info
RO System and UV System. Tri County Pump and Well Service: (209) 742-7867 / (209) 347-8294 (can text if needed). Brandon is the one Loralyn has talked to — he lives near us.
UV bulb and service, going forward: every 420 days. Filters by use — changed together with the UV bulb, roughly every 400 days depending on water flow (about 1–1.5 years, normally). Wait until the water slows down before changing.
Troubleshooting
No water at destination
Make sure the appropriate gate valves are open. The Red line has two — at the Pump House and under the kitchen window.
Water pressure drops
Make sure all faucets are closed on the Red and Blue lines and there's no visible break. You may be out of water — turn off all water and the system will automatically restart when the well refills to a certain level (may take a few hours). Do not shut off the Well Breaker.
Lights on Pump House box
The only light to be concerned about is a flashing orange light. Call Yosemite Well Co. — the number is on the box.
Pump not running / no power
Flip breakers in the Fuse Box on the back wall of the Pump House. The third breaker is for the Pump House light.