Pressure and HeadIntermediate 28 min read

Pressure and Head: Process Control Basics

Build fluency converting between psi and feet of head in both directions, understand the difference between static and residual pressure, and see how elevation differences shape pressure across a real service area.

A single elevated tank can deliver 60 psi to one customer and 25 psi to another — same source, same water, wildly different pressure — purely because of where each customer sits relative to the tank. This guide moves you from knowing the psi/head conversion to actually using it to predict and troubleshoot pressure behavior across a real distribution or collection service area, including the critical distinction between static and residual pressure.

Quick Refresher: The Core Conversion

You should already be comfortable with the fundamental relationship (covered in the entry-level guide for this topic):

1 \text{ psi} = 2.31 \text{ ft of head} \qquad\qquad 1 \text{ ft of head} = 0.433 \text{ psi}

\text{Head (ft)} = \text{Pressure (psi)} \times 2.31 \qquad\qquad \text{Pressure (psi)} = \text{Head (ft)} \times 0.433

At this level, you need to apply these constants quickly and

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