What is the primary purpose of a surge tank?

The primary purpose of a surge tank is to control water hammer, which refers to the pressure surge or wave that occurs when there is a sudden change in water flow, such as when a pump is shut off or a valve is closed quickly. This rapid change can create pressure fluctuations that may damage pipes, fittings, or other components of a water system. The surge tank alleviates these pressure spikes by providing a buffer that absorbs the surge, thereby maintaining a more stable pressure within the system.

While filtration is crucial to ensuring water quality, pressure regulation helps in managing system pressure, and water storage is vital for supply balance, none of these functions directly address the immediate need to mitigate the potentially damaging effects of water hammer. Thus, the surge tank's design and function specifically aim at protecting the integrity of the water system from these hydraulic shocks.