What kind of valve is best suited for water main supply lines and pump lines?

The best choice for water main supply lines and pump lines is the gate valve. Gate valves are designed to be fully opened or closed, providing minimal resistance to flow when fully opened. This characteristic makes them ideal for applications where the goal is to either allow maximum flow or stop it completely, such as in main water supply lines. They do not offer throttling capabilities, which is not usually needed in these scenarios.

In addition, gate valves have a simple structure, which translates into lower pressure drops when open, making them efficient for transporting water over long distances, as seen in main supply lines. Their design also allows them to maintain a tight seal when closed, effectively preventing leakage.

Other valve types, such as globe valves, are more suited for regulating flow due to their design, which allows for better control over the rate of flow, but they cause more pressure drop when fully opened compared to gate valves. Check valves are used to prevent backflow in systems and are not typically used for on/off control in main supplies. Ball valves, while effective for quick shutoff and offering low resistance to flow, may not be as durable in larger-scale applications where a fully open condition is favored for efficient water flow.