Spring Water Restoration & Off-Grid Homestead Build

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC—today, we’re back in the beautiful mountains of Burnsville, North Carolina, on a fourth-generation family homestead. It's been nearly 7 years since I last set foot on this land, and now, my good friend’s son is preparing to move into the family home.

Step One: Restoring the Spring Water Source
The first priority: getting fresh spring water flowing again. Years ago, a spring system was installed, but while water is visibly bubbling out of the mountain, the pipe is bone dry. We’ve started digging into the hillside to trace the issue—and sure enough, water has found a path underneath the dam wall rather than through the pipe.

This setup features a shallow 12-inch-deep Carolina water system. Over time, the water carved its own path beneath the dam, bypassing the intended flow. We'll need to rebuild the dam wall using hydraulic cement, seal it to the rock face, and redirect the flow properly.

As we excavate, we’ve discovered that the original builder used black 6-mil plastic tucked into the hill to keep debris out—and it’s worked remarkably well. The gravel is still clean, but the problem lies in the length of the dam. It doesn’t extend far enough into the hillside, allowing water to escape around the edges.

Rebuilding the Dam Wall: Solid Rock, Solid Solutions
We’re working on setting a new dam wall directly onto solid rock, and I’ve already laid down 20 lbs of leak-stopper cement as the base. The new wall will run from ledge rock to ledge rock, cut precisely to fit the uneven terrain. Tomorrow, I’ll bring up my battery-operated saw and continue sculpting the fit for maximum water retention and efficiency.

The Old Spring Box: Too Far, Too Muddy
The original spring box is over 1,000 feet downhill from the spring and sits full of mud and debris. It’s simply not practical—especially in winter—to hike that far to maintain it. So, we’re relocating the water system closer to the house where it’s easier to access, clean, and maintain.

I’ve already connected test pipes and cleared parts of the line. We've confirmed that water is flowing from the original spring dam, producing a consistent flow of 1.25 gallons per minute—that’s over 1,800 gallons per day!

Creating a Practical Off-Grid Water System
With the new dam wall nearly in place, we’re running temporary piping above ground to get water flowing into the house as quickly as possible. The old tank now sits about 150 feet above the house—delivering solid water pressure at just under 40 PSI.

We’ve also installed a full water purification system, including:

• A spin-down filter
• A cartridge filter
• A UV light system
• An RV-compatible hose bib
• And a bypass yard faucet for gardening needs

This setup gives them clean, drinkable spring water, while also supplying unfiltered water for irrigation and outdoor use—efficient, practical, and off-grid ready.

What’s Next for This Fourth-Generation Homestead?
With water secured and the family moving in this weekend, the next stages of this off-grid homestead restoration will include:

• Off-grid refrigeration using a 90-year-old springhouse
  
  
• Low-head, high-volume hydro power
• Old-fashioned homestead repairs and systems

This is just the beginning. As we work through each phase, we’ll document the full journey to help others learn how to reclaim, restore, and live more independently from the land.

Need Help With Your Own Off-Grid Project?
I offer in-person homestead consultations (travel fees apply) and free remote consultations via phone or internet. If you need advice, guidance, or hands-on help with your homesteading, off-grid water, or preparedness projects, I’d be glad to help.

Like, share, and subscribe to follow along with this amazing generational homestead journey. Drop a comment below if you have questions—or want to share your own spring water or off-grid experience.  Visit us at:  CarolinaHomesteadPlanner.com for more information and resources.

Thanks for watching, and as always--thank you, Jesus.

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