Crossword Genius

Victor is in low-lying areas controlling the distribution of water (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

valves

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'areas controlling the distribution of water' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'victor is in low-lying' is the wordplay.
'victor' becomes 'v' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'is in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'low lying' becomes 'vales' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'v' placed within 'vales' is 'VALVES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for valves that I've seen before include "Devices for controlling the flow of a liquid" , "Hinged shells of certain molluscs" , "Devices to control flow of fluids" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
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