If you have 80 psi at a hydrant and the house on the hill has 40 psi, what is the difference in elevation?

To determine the difference in elevation between the hydrant and the house, it's important to understand the relationship between pressure and elevation in a fluid, which is often described by the hydrostatic pressure formula. The general rule is that for every 1 psi of pressure, there is approximately a corresponding elevation gain of about 2.31 feet of water.

In this situation, the pressure difference between the hydrant and the house is calculated by subtracting the house pressure from the hydrant pressure:

80 psi (hydrant) - 40 psi (house) = 40 psi

Next, to find the elevation difference, this pressure difference in psi needs to be converted to feet of elevation using the factor of 2.31 feet per psi:

40 psi * 2.31 feet/psi = 92.4 feet

This calculation shows that the difference in elevation between the hydrant and the house is 92.4 feet. Thus, the response indicating 92.4 feet as the difference in elevation is accurate, making it the correct answer. Understanding this conversion from pressure to elevation is vital for water service workers, as it directly impacts the design and functioning of water distribution systems.