What is the purpose of pressure-reducing valves?

Pressure-reducing valves serve a crucial function in water distribution systems by effectively managing and stabilizing water pressure. When water is transported through pipes, it can experience fluctuations in pressure due to varying demand or changes in elevation. This is particularly important in municipal water systems, where overly high pressure can lead to pipe damage, increased leakage, or even stop valves malfunctioning.

The primary role of these valves is to decrease the incoming high pressure to a lower, more manageable level before it enters the distribution system or specific parts of the system. This helps ensure that the water delivered to consumers is at a safe and usable pressure, which helps in maintaining a consistent flow and preventing damage to plumbing fixtures or appliances that may not be able to handle high pressure.

In contrast to the options that relate to enhancing water velocity, purity, or regulating temperature, the pressure-reducing valves specifically focus on pressure management, making option B the accurate choice in this context.