What is the most common valve found in a water distribution system?

The gate valve is widely recognized as the most common valve used in water distribution systems due to its design and functionality. It is particularly favored for on-off control of the flow of water in pipelines. The gate valve operates by raising or lowering a gate inside the valve body, which either allows water to flow through or completely blocks it.

One of the key advantages of gate valves is that when fully open, they create a straight-line flow through the valve with minimal obstruction, resulting in low pressure loss. This characteristic makes them ideal for applications where the flow needs to be fully opened or closed rather than throttled. In addition, gate valves can handle larger diameters, marking their utility in significant pipeline systems.

While other valves like ball valves, butterfly valves, and check valves serve critical functions, they might be preferred in specific situations; for example, ball valves are excellent for quick shut-off applications, butterfly valves are often utilized in large-diameter pipes for throttling, and check valves are used to prevent backflow in the system. However, the gate valve remains the predominant choice for controlling the flow in water distribution networks.