As homeowners, we all have things around the house that need to be done.  Some things are small and keep getting pushed to the bottom of the priority list as more important things get added. At the Ranch, there is ALWAYS a “to-do list” sitting around of what needs to get done. Lately, we have been working to finish up some projects that we partially finished but still need some final touches to get them crossed off the list.

One that has been driving Greg crazy pertains to our (2) 2,500-gallon water tanks. They have sat full of water for several years up by the animal shelter, but we have wanted to make it easier for us to get water at the house about 100+ yards to the north. We also wanted to run the overflow water out to one of the lower pastures so that it would drain downhill and away from the flat high-use area where the tanks sit.

A couple of weeks ago when we had to rent a trencher for a different project, Greg trenched a line from the tanks to the edge of the pasture closest to the house. He then took all the random scrap PVC pipe he had and connected it to make a line from the tanks to about 50 yards from the house. He also connected scrap 2” pipe and 4” French drain material to the tank overflows and routed the water nearly 100 yards away. Both of these pipe sections were installed in the same trench. Over last weekend, he cut pipe that connected the tanks together to add another tee fitting that would connect the long pipe that leads towards the house (this same connected pipe already feeds the animal troughs in the winter). Sounds easy, but it did not happen without a little excitement and a few foul words. In the process of hooking the tanks back together, Greg broke the pipe at the bottom of the tank upstream from the shutoff valve. This resulted in losing 2,500 gallons of collected rainwater, making a huge mess, and requiring a lot more work for Greg.

After the water had completely drained, the pipe was repaired, the tanks were successfully hooked together again and connected to the long run of PVC towards the house. These tanks are about 30’ higher than the new hose bib location. We were pleasantly surprised to see so much water pressure at our new location. After testing the new hose bib, Greg turned both valves on at the bottom of the twin tanks and let them equalize. With so much rain this week, they are filling back up quickly.

Down near the house, he built a bucket filling station. So, if we lose water at the house (we are on a well that is dependent on power and working equipment), it is very easy and efficient to walk a few steps and fill up a bucket rather than uphill across the property and through three gates. If we need it to be more convenient, we can connect a hose to the new hose bib and run it right to our back porch.

There is still a little work that needs to be done to FULLY cross this project off the “to-do list”, but we are getting closer. To recap our water storage needs, we are pretty vulnerable in the event of a serious long-term power failure or downed equipment. While we humans can figure it out, our domestic animals absolutely depend on available water. These tanks will provide enough water for all two and four-legged animals for well over a month.