The pipes that deliver water from the treatment facility for distribution are __________.

The correct answer, mains, refers to the large pipes that carry treated water from the water treatment facility to various distribution points throughout a community. These mains are essential for the water supply system because they handle significant volumes of water and provide the necessary pressure to ensure that water can be distributed effectively to residential, commercial, and industrial users.

Mains are typically buried underground and can vary in size depending on the volume of water they need to transport and the areas they serve. They connect to smaller distribution pipes, which then branch off to individual service lines that supply water directly to homes and businesses.

In contrast, distribution pipes specifically refer to the smaller pipes that extend from the mains to deliver water to service connections, while service lines denote the pipes that connect individual buildings to the distribution system. Hydrant lines are specifically designed for fire hydrants, linking them to the water supply for firefighting purposes but do not encompass the broader network of water delivery. This understanding highlights the crucial role that mains play in the overall infrastructure of a water distribution system.