Operating a water system requires constant maintenance. Valves must be located when brush grows over them, and operated to make sure they will open and shut as needed, when needed. Fire hydrants and meter boxes can also get covered by fast-growing plants, and we may have to work with residents to clear vegetation and maintain access. We go through a multi-step maintenance procedure for half of our fire hydrants each year, and periodically we also gave all Rainbow hydrants a new coat of bright yellow paint and an identification tag with Rainbow's phone number. We lubricate our well pump motors, and test pump capacity, we clear weeds and mow fields and repair fences where tree limbs may have caused damage over the winter. Every spring we are busy preparing our seasonal water sources to work over the summer.

Other periodic maintenance done every few years includes pressure washing and painting our reservoirs, Kelly Reservoir on Kelly Butte and Moe Reservoir on Vitus Butte, and using divers or drones to inspect the inside of the tanks. We hire well drillers to pull the pumps and motors for inspection, refurbishing or replacing equipment when needed and cleaning and rehabilitating the well screens.