What is the role of Secondary Feeders in a water distribution system?

The role of secondary feeders in a water distribution system is to reinforce the primary feeder grid. Secondary feeders serve as additional lines that connect to the primary system, helping to maintain water pressure and provide reliable service to various neighborhoods and areas within a community. By connecting to the primary feeders, secondary feeders ensure that water can be adequately distributed to residential, commercial, and industrial users.

These feeders play a crucial role in enhancing the overall capacity and redundancy of the distribution system. If a primary feeder experiences a failure or maintenance work, the secondary feeders can help to maintain water flow to essential services, thereby minimizing the potential impact on water availability to users.

In the context of the other options, connecting water directly to fire hydrants does not accurately describe the primary function of secondary feeders, as that responsibility is typically handled by the distribution mains. Collecting runoff from local drainage is not a function of secondary feeders, as their primary purpose is not related to drainage systems, but rather to the supply and distribution of potable water. Lastly, filtering and purifying water is not a task performed by secondary feeders; purification processes take place at treatment facilities before the water enters the distribution network. Therefore, reinforcing the primary feeder grid is the correct and fundamental role of secondary feeders.