Water is drawn into a water supply system from a surface impoundment or stream through:

• A. An intake structure
• B. A filtration system
• C. A well pump
• D. A reservoir

Answer: (A)

The correct choice of an intake structure is significant because it serves as the critical entry point for water into a supply system. An intake structure is specifically designed to collect and transport water from surface sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs while providing necessary protection against debris and aquatic life that could contaminate the water.

Intake structures are typically equipped with screens or grates to filter out larger contaminants, ensuring that only clean water is drawn into the system for further treatment and distribution. This structure is essential because it sets the stage for effective water treatment processes that follow.

Contrastingly, a filtration system is used after water has been collected to remove smaller particulates and impurities, not for the initial withdrawal of water from a source. A well pump is specifically used to extract groundwater from underground aquifers and is not applicable to surface sources. A reservoir, while critical in storing water, does not play a direct role in the initial drawing of water from a stream or impoundment, as it is a storage facility rather than a means of intake.