What is the standard unit for measuring water pressure?

The standard unit for measuring water pressure is pounds per square inch (PSI). This unit quantifies the amount of force applied to a given area, specifically how much pressure is exerted by the water in a system. PSI is commonly used in various applications, including plumbing and water distribution systems, to ensure that water pressure remains within safe and effective limits for operational efficiency and safety.

Understanding the context of the other units helps to clarify why they are not applicable for measuring water pressure. Gallons per minute (GPM) measures the flow rate of water, indicating how much volume of water is moving through a system per minute, rather than the pressure of that water. Barrels per day (BPD) is typically used in the oil industry to measure the volume of liquid produced, which is also unrelated to pressure. Liters per second (LPS) serves a similar purpose as GPM, focusing on flow rate rather than pressure. Therefore, PSI is the appropriate unit for conveying information about water pressure in distribution systems.