What occurs when a pump stops and a check valve is present?

When a pump stops and a check valve is present, the correct outcome involves water not being able to flow back into the system, which helps maintain system pressure. A check valve functions by allowing fluid to flow in only one direction. This design is crucial in preventing backflow, which can lead to contamination or loss of pressure in the water supply system.

In this situation, once the pump halts, the check valve closes, effectively creating a barrier that keeps the water in the pressurized system from returning to the source or well. This is vital for ensuring a reliable and consistent water supply when the pump is activated again, as well as for maintaining pressure throughout the system.

The other options do not accurately reflect the role of the check valve. For instance, water continuing to flow into the well or being circulated back into the supply implies fluid movement that contradicts the check valve’s function, while the release of air to the atmosphere would suggest a loss of pressure or a malfunction in the system rather than the intended operation of a check valve.