What is the purpose of installing a tracer wire with a new water main?

The purpose of installing a tracer wire with a new water main is to locate the pipe after it has been backfilled. The tracer wire provides a means to detect and trace the underground location of the water main using electronic locating equipment. It is particularly useful for utilities and operators to find pipes without the need for excavation. The wire is typically made of a durable material, ensuring it remains intact over time despite the surrounding conditions. This practice is essential for maintenance and emergency response, as it helps prevent accidental damage to buried infrastructure during excavation and construction activities.

The other choices do not align with the fundamental roles of tracing wires. Improving water flow rate, for instance, relates to the design of the pipes and pumps rather than their locatability post-installation. Preventing backflow pertains to the installation of backflow prevention devices rather than tracer wires. Monitoring water temperature requires sensors and does not involve a tracer wire function. Therefore, using tracer wire is exclusively for locating the water main effectively.