What is the main purpose of water storage tanks in a distribution system?

The main purpose of water storage tanks in a distribution system is to store excess water for high demand periods. Water storage tanks play a critical role in ensuring a reliable supply of water, particularly during peak usage times when the demand can exceed the immediate capacity of the water treatment and distribution system. By holding surplus water, these tanks help to balance fluctuations in demand, ensuring that users have access to water even during periods of high consumption.

While pressure regulation is important in a distribution system and can be partially managed by storage tanks, the primary function of these tanks is to address variations in demand through storage. Enhancing water quality can occur as water is stored, but this is not the primary purpose; rather, it is a benefit that may result from proper storage management. Filtration of contaminants is generally handled by treatment plants prior to water entering the distribution system, and not by storage tanks themselves. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the tanks’ role in managing supply vs. demand effectively.