What factor is considered important when determining water main demand?

When determining water main demand, occupancy type plays a critical role. Each type of occupancy, such as residential, commercial, or industrial, has different water usage patterns and requirements. Understanding the occupancy type helps in estimating the expected demand for water services, as various types of buildings will use differing amounts of water based on their activities, number of occupants, and the fixtures within them.

For example, a restaurant typically requires more water than a small office due to kitchen operations and restroom facilities that accommodate larger numbers of customers and staff. This knowledge allows for proper sizing of water mains to ensure sufficient supply and pressure meet the expected demand.

While factors like geographic location, building age, and roof design may influence other aspects of plumbing systems or infrastructure, they do not directly inform the water demand calculations as effectively as occupancy type does.