Drinking Water Distribution SystemsAssessing and Reducing Risks\nAuthor(s): National Research Council, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Water Science and Technology Board, Committee on Public Water Supply Distribution Systems: Assessing and Reducing Risks\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: National Academies Press, United States\nImprint: National Academies Press\nISBN-13: 9780309103060, 978-0309103060\nSynopsis\nProtecting and maintaining water distributions systems is crucial to ensuring high quality drinking water. Distribution systems -- consisting of pipes, pumps, valves, storage tanks, reservoirs, meters, fittings, and other hydraulic appurtenances -- carry drinking water from a centralized treatment plant or well supplies to consumersa (TM) taps. Spanning almost 1 million miles in the United States, distribution systems represent the vast majority of physical infrastructure for water supplies, and thus constitute the primary management challenge from both an operational and .