Venturi meters are primarily used for measuring what aspect of water systems?

Venturi meters are primarily used for measuring flow rate in water systems, specifically large flows. This device operates based on the principle of fluid dynamics, where the flow of water is accelerated as it passes through a constricted section of the meter, known as the Venturi. The change in pressure that occurs from this acceleration allows for the calculation of flow rate according to the Bernoulli equation.

Using a Venturi meter is particularly advantageous for measuring large flows because it can handle significant volumes of water without incurring the pressure drop or flow disturbances that other types of flow meters might experience. Additionally, since Venturi meters have no moving parts, they are reliable and require less maintenance, making them suitable for continuous flow monitoring in water treatment and distribution systems.