What is the definition of lift in the context of water supply operations?

In water supply operations, lift refers specifically to the vertical distance between the surface of the water and the intake of the pump. Understanding this concept is crucial, as it directly affects the pump's ability to draw water efficiently. The lift determines how much energy the pump must exert to raise the water up to the level at which it can be effectively pumped into the system.

When calculating the necessary pump specifications and considering operational efficiency, the lift becomes a critical factor. If the lift is too great for the pump's capacity, it may struggle or fail to draw the necessary water flow, impacting firefighting or water supply operations.

The other choices describe different aspects of water dynamics but do not accurately depict the concept of lift. For instance, the pressure exerted by the water source, the horizontal distance to the strainer, and the maximum height a pump can push water relate to pump performance, pressure systems, and operational limitations, but they do not define the specific relationship between the water surface and the pump intake as lift does.