Which term describes a water source such as a pond, river, or stream that is not pressurized?

• A. A pressurized water supply from a municipal network
• B. Static water source
• C. A pumped, pressurized tank
• D. An underground aquifer under high pressure

Answer: (B)

A water source like a pond, river, or stream that isn’t connected to a pressurized system is described as a static water source. The crucial idea is that there’s no built-in pressure to push the water through lines, so you must rely on drafting or pumping to create pressure for firefighting operations. When you draft from a static source, you use a pump with suction equipment to lift and move the water into the pump, accounting for lift height, friction losses, and potential debris in the source.

In contrast, a municipal network provides water that’s already pressurized, a pumped, pressurized tank has its own pressure, and an underground aquifer under high pressure isn’t the typical term used for a firefighting draft source. So the term that best fits a natural, non-pressurized water source is static water source.