Why is baffling used inside a storage facility?

Baffling is utilized within a storage facility primarily to prevent straight-through flows, also known as short-circuiting. When water flows straight from the inlet to the outlet without proper mixing or contact time, it can lead to uneven treatment and inadequate disinfection, negatively impacting water quality. By incorporating baffles, the flow of water is redirected and spread out within the storage facility, allowing for better mixing and more effective contact with any chemicals, such as disinfectants. This enhanced flow pattern helps ensure that water is treated uniformly throughout the facility, improving overall treatment effectiveness and maintaining compliance with health and safety standards.

In the context of the other options, while extending contact times with disinfectants can be a secondary benefit of enhanced mixing through baffling, the primary purpose is to manage flow patterns. Similarly, maintaining high chlorine residuals and reducing high temperatures are not direct functions of baffling, as these factors are more heavily influenced by the overall design of the water treatment system and specific temperature control measures, rather than by the presence of baffles alone.