What aspect does public system regulation focus on?

Public system regulation primarily focuses on the connection size and population served because these factors are critical in ensuring that water systems are designed to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Proper regulation requires an understanding of the demand for water based on the population size and how the system is structured to deliver that water effectively. This involves considering the infrastructure needed to support the population and maintaining adequate service levels for public health and safety.

By focusing on connection size, regulators can assess the capacity of the water system to provide sufficient and safe water to all users within a specific area. This aspect is crucial for planning, resource allocation, and ensuring long-term sustainability of water services in a community. Understanding the population served also helps in implementing fair pricing strategies and maintaining water quality standards.

Other aspects, like the price of water services, local government control, and seasonal water demands, do play roles in the broader spectrum of water management and policy, but the direct regulation of the public system itself primarily revolves around establishing the necessary infrastructure and service capacity based on the size and needs of the population.