What is the role of public water supply systems?

The role of public water supply systems is fundamentally to provide safe and accessible drinking water to the public. This encompasses the collection, treatment, storage, and distribution of water to ensure that it meets health and safety standards, allowing for adequate water quality for consumption. Public water supply systems are designed to reach all segments of the population, ensuring that communities have reliable access to clean water, which is essential for public health, hygiene, and overall quality of life. This role is critical, as safe drinking water is a key factor in preventing waterborne diseases and promoting the well-being of communities.

While other options touch on important aspects related to water, they do not encompass the primary function of public water supply systems. Preventing water contamination from industrial sources is an important goal but falls under regulatory measures rather than the direct role of supplying water. Regulating water prices for consumers and managing agricultural water usage are also significant but pertain more to the economic and agricultural management aspects rather than the primary objective of public water supply systems.