Non-return valve for an undergound water supply pipe?

[Finwoodhill]

We own a barn conversion with a water supply that is proving to be intermitent - this is causing havoc with the new combi boiler. There is another water supply to a garden tap at the property which has a much better flow rate and we are wondering if it might be possible to link it up alongside the existing mains supply into the house to improve the inward flow of water, and if so whether there is some sort of non-return mechanism that could be installed to ensure that it doesn't just run against the flow of the existing pipe?
To give a bit of background, the property does not have its own independent water supply and takes a feed from the adjacent farm house . We have looked into having a new domestic water supply installed, but as the property is 3/4 mile from the nearest road it would cost in the region of 8k to install pipework etc.

[The Builder]

You'd need to know where these supplies come from. Is the farmhouse on a bore-hole, or a well, or maybe a stream further uphill?

Even though they have the mains, I know of several cases where people have had a bore-hole put in. It's worth Googling for specialist companies. I can't help with the cost, but I guess it would be a great deal cheaper than bringing in the mains.

[Finwoodhill]

I hadn't considered a bore hole but I'll certainly look into it - thanks

[The Builder]

Something else to think about .......... I've seen systems where the supply comes downhill from a spring or stream. Of course these supplies are very slow with a small flow rate and little pressure.
The answer is to store the water in as big a storage tank(s) as you like (with the supply open continuously and controlled by a float vale or whatever, as with a WC cistern).
Then you simply pump the supply into the house at whatever pressure you have the pump set to.
There are some very sophisticated devices for this, but I guess it would be quite cheap and simple to set up your own.

[Brinjal]

I live in Zimbabwe where we have problems with water supply. We have two big tanks which we fill from the mains. We then have a small pump and a non return valve because we are pumping upstairs. Even here in Zim it wasn't too expensive to install

[Finwoodhill]

I have looked at systems that provide a water storage facility/feeder tank, but these tend to rely on an electric pump and if you have a power cut (as might happen given the property's rural location) then the water supply goes off too.
Thanks for the info.

[Finwoodhill]

Looked into the borehole option but unfortunately the ground the property is situated on would mean a dig to 60m and a cost circa 10k + vat, so that idea's dead in the water.