A chilled water pump that is cavitating is likely caused by which issue?

Cavitation in a chilled water pump occurs when there is a drop in pressure at the pump's inlet, leading to the formation of vapor bubbles. When these bubbles reach an area of higher pressure within the pump, they collapse violently, causing damage to the impeller and reducing pump efficiency. One common cause of this issue is water leaks through the mechanical seals. When these seals fail, it can lead to a loss of pressure within the system, which may allow vapor pockets to form, thus promoting cavitation.

Other options suggest conditions that typically wouldn't create the cavitation problem. Low water temperature would not contribute to cavitation directly, as colder water is denser and less likely to vaporize under pressure changes. Excessive pipe lengths could lead to losses but are generally associated with a consistent pressure drop rather than creating localized vapor bubbles. Lastly, too high of a pressure in the system might actually reduce the likelihood of cavitation, as higher pressure tends to keep the fluid in a liquid state rather than causing vaporization. Thus, the proper identification of water leaks through mechanical seals as a cause of cavitation makes this option the most appropriate choice in this context.