Wow, Lucky you!

You do not need a pressure tank for this application. You can simply
install a sump or plastic catch basin / junction box used to connect 4 in
corrugatd plastic pipe used in leach fields for septic tanks and in creating
french drains. You then simply put a sump pump that has a water level
activated float switch that will turn on the pump when a desired volume of
water in the sump has been reached.
I'm wondering what kind of water volume is produced by this spring?
You might also want to consider a great little product available from some
Home Depot Stores and through their web site. It is the Rain Drip snap
together low flow irrigation system. It is available with drippers or even
various spray pattern sprinkler heads.
I've installed several of these kits and hand watering in the horrendously
humid and hot summers here in Memphis, TN. is now completely automatic and
care free as I've hooked the Rain drip system up to several $22.00
electronic watering valves also available from the Home Depot garden hose
watering aisle. Yes, I am a Home Depot Stock Holder and work there in the
Kitchen Design / Appliance Dept. You can find similar products at Lowes
however, the product I found at Lowes did not appear to be as simple and
easy to use as the Rain Drip garden sprinkling system.
I would love to have your situation. I would probably create a rubbber
lined fish / lilly pond since you have a natural spring, the water is likely
to stay nice and clear. The overflow would be piped to the above mentioned
catch basin. I would use one of the plastic basement sump pump basins again
available from H.D. or Lowes that has about a three foot depth and is about
18 to 24 in in diameter. The pump capacity and outlet pressure depends on
how much volume and distance you will be attempting to pump to. You may also
need to use different zoning valves as simple as the one mentioned above
used in multiples so your water is sent to different beds at different
times.
Sounds like fun!
Rich

"Robert Gray" wrote in message
. com...
Well,

I have finally got around to backfilling drainage pipes in the culverts of
my yard. In one part of the yard, there was always a soft spot. Turns out
that it is a natural spring, and it continues to bubble up through the new
fill.

It is close enough to a drain (20') that I think I can excavate the fill
and
put in a french drain to trap the water and direct it to the the drain
before it reaches the surface. Some landscape fabric, a truckload of
gravel,
some slotted drain pipe, and a day or so of digging, installing and
backfilling and it should work.

But, before I do that I thought I would check with others about the
possibility of using the water for irrigation. We have had some long hot
summers without much rain lately, and the spring is ideally located to
service an area (where I will plant grass and shrubs) that is far from the
water of the house. We do not have any other type of sprinkler systems (on
a
well), but this just might make sense.

I have ideas of burying a holding tank, directing the water into the tank,
and then pumping it out into a pressurized tank for the sprinkler lines.
But, I haven't done anything like this before and need some technical
references to see if it is viable.

Anyone have experience they would like to share?

Thanks,
Robert