Submitted by SapphireSalamander t3_ydyf7q in askscience
just wondering about this when i was taking a bath. if i open the faucet water comes out at a given pressure, this seems to be the same base pressure on every house and building. but if all that water is running under the city at a base pressure wouldnt a house opening the faucet decrease the pressure of the overall system? how can every house recieve the same water pressure at the same time (7am for example when everyone is getting ready). how are some parts of the system not more pressurised than other by use/un-use.
and how can a valve be closed without increasing the pressure of the system? i know this is wrong because if it was true then water pipes could explode but im having trouble imagining exactly how its handled.