When might you choose to draft from a moving water source rather than a static source?

• A. When a moving water source provides a higher and more reliable flow than a stagnant source
• B. When static source is closer
• C. When moving water is more turbid
• D. When moving water is warmer

Answer: (A)

The key idea is choosing a draft source based on the amount and steadiness of water you can draw. A moving water source often provides a higher volume and a more reliable flow than a stagnant one because the current continually replenishes water at the intake, helping maintain prime and deliver a steady supply to the pump. That’s why you’d opt for it when it’s accessible and you can set up the intake with proper debris protection and a good position to avoid air or sediment.

Things that don’t justify choosing moving water include being closer to a static source—distance can matter, but if the static source doesn’t deliver enough flow, it won’t meet the pump’s needs. Moving water that’s turbid can clog the strainer, and warmer water doesn’t inherently improve drafting capability.