What is the function of a water meter in a distribution system?

The function of a water meter in a distribution system is to measure the amount of water consumed by a user. Water meters play a crucial role in tracking water usage for billing purposes and ensuring accurate consumption data. They enable utility companies to assess how much water each customer utilizes, which is vital for resource management and planning. By recording this data, the system can help identify trends in water consumption, detect leaks, and promote water conservation efforts.

The other options do not describe the function of a water meter. For instance, adding chemicals to the water and filtering impurities are tasks associated with water treatment processes, while regulating water temperature falls under heating systems or temperature management, which are separate from the metering function. Therefore, the correct understanding of a water meter's role is centered around its ability to quantify usage rather than perform treatment or regulatory actions on the water itself.