So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

[farmer2009]

And yes, the water flow and pressure suck inside the house. The two (now three water hydrants) are OK, not great but OK.

Are the hydrants before or after your pressure regulator? If before try replacing the regulator. If there is a regulator at the meter look at moving it the 1300 feet to the house. That should improve flow as county pressure will come farther.

 

[fordmantpw]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

In the city where I used to work, there was a Large "impact" fee to up size a meter. Think it was in the neighborhood of $2,500-5000 for a 2" meter vs a 1" meter.

May as well drill your own well for that!

 

[farmer2009]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

Are you sure it's atleast a 6 inch main. Mine is a 3/4 meter off a 3 inch main run 600 feet but unregulated until it gets ready to enter buildings. Good water pressure for the house and barn unless I water chickens with it. But that's more flow than you will ever see.

 

[jaotguy]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

might be cheaper to install a pressure bladder tank in the house (just like a well system)... think of it like a big air tank on a compressor ..

it holds a reserve of water in this case to allow a smaller water supply to act as a bigger one ...

and ganging 2 or 3 together gives you a lot of reserve ...( and place 1 way check valve before the tanks )

 

[FTG-05]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

Are the hydrants before or after your pressure regulator? If before try replacing the regulator. If there is a regulator at the meter look at moving it the 1300 feet to the house. That should improve flow as county pressure will come farther.

I have no idea if there is a regulator at the meter, there certainly is nothing obvious if there is. Another thing to check!

I don't recall the water main size, I've only seen the inside of the utilidor once and it was several months ago. But that's another thing I can check when I go to get the Upper water meter number. I'll post a pic of the inside of the utilidor and post it here.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

Our system doesn't have any regulators.

A 'loop' will provide better pressure and volume. What you might consider is to connect the 'upper' water lines to the lower lines very near the lower meter and again at the barn or house to create a loop.

I don't see a need for the second meter unless you plan to keep the 2 systems separate. But that won't help your pressure issue. I don't know if the your water system would allow you to 'loop' 2 meters. We have never had that request in my 25 years on the board.

Installing a larger meter would help, only if you change to bigger water lines. And, on our system a larger meter is quite expensive. Probably in the $2000 range for a 2" meter.

 

[FTG-05]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

Our system doesn't have any regulators.

A 'loop' will provide better pressure and volume. What you might consider is to connect the 'upper' water lines to the lower lines very near the lower meter and again at the barn or house to create a loop.

I don't see a need for the second meter unless you plan to keep the 2 systems separate. But that won't help your pressure issue. I don't know if the your water system would allow you to 'loop' 2 meters. We have never had that request in my 25 years on the board.

Installing a larger meter would help, only if you change to bigger water lines. And, on our system a larger meter is quite expensive. Probably in the $2000 range for a 2" meter.

Exactly. This is what I tried to say in post #18. I can do this with only the knowledge that the other meter is in fact, for the Upper part of my property and won't require permission from anyone else.

Intercept the Upper meter water pipe at the meters and connect them there. Then connect at the pole barn, about 500' from the house (about a 1000' from the meters).

Here's a pic of the pole barn area from my front porch. The house main water line comes down the left side of the driveway (as far as I can tell from ground subsidence). There is a 3/4" pipe that crosses the concrete driveway at that spur up to the pole barn and it terminates about 50' on this side of the pole barn. I've extended that line to the far nearside corner of the pole barn and installed another water hydrant. The plan would be to connect them somewhere up there, assuming the lines are still there and can still be used.

Thanks for the advice and help!

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

Nice looking place.

Just to be sure we are on the same page, I'm talking about leaving the 'upper' meter off, and just connect to the 'upper' water lines just beyond the meter.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

Also, it's a bit hard to see in your pics how much slope you have, but change in elevation affects pressure a lot.

On our system, we have a tower that is about 120' high and feeds our entire system of about 1300 connections (60 miles of pipes) with no pumps anywhere. We just pump the water up into the tower, and gravity feeds it to our entire system. But, we are on flat land.

 

[FTG-05]

Re: So, it appears I have two water meters & two water systems - that's the good news

Nice looking place.

Just to be sure we are on the same page, I'm talking about leaving the 'upper' meter off, and just connect to the 'upper' water lines just beyond the meter.

Eggzactly!

According to GE, the water meters (and 6' or 8" water main) are at 942 feet while my front porch is at 909 feet.