When a section of pipe is replaced, the new piece must have a pressure reading ________ of the piece being replaced.

• A. Less than that
• B. Greater Than That
• C. Equal To That
• D. Equal To Or Greater Than That

Answer: (D)

Maintaining flow and pressure continuity in the distribution system is the key idea. When you replace a section of pipe, the new piece becomes part of the live network and must carry the same hydraulic conditions as the section it replaces. If the new pipe shows a pressure lower than the old section, it can create a pressure drop at the point of replacement, leading to insufficient pressure for customers downstream and possible flow imbalances. Therefore, you want the replacement piece to have a pressure reading equal to that of the piece being replaced or higher, so it can maintain service level and safely withstand the system’s operating pressure. In practice, this means testing or charging the new section to at least the existing pressure (and often higher, per local specs) and confirming there are no leaks.