What is the most common type of valve used on public water distribution systems?

In public water distribution systems, the most common type of valve utilized is a nonindicating valve. These valves are designed primarily to open and close the flow of water within the distribution network without providing a means of visual indication regarding their position. This is important in many situations where monitoring flow is not necessary for the operation of the system.

Nonindicating valves are typically used to control water flow for various applications, such as enabling or disabling certain sections of the system for maintenance or emergencies. Their simplicity and effectiveness in controlling water flow make them a preferred choice in most public distribution systems.

While other types of valves have specific uses, such as indicating valves that show whether they are open or closed, nonindicating valves cover the bulk of operational needs in the system, which is why they are more commonly used. Indicating valves, for instance, provide visual feedback and are typically used in more critical areas where monitoring the status is essential.