§ 381.50 - Water supply.

(a) General: Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, the water supply shall be ample, clean, and potable with adequate pressure and facilities for its distribution in the official establishment and its protection against contamination and pollution. A water report, issued under the authority of the State health agency, certifying to the potability of the water supply, shall be obtained by the applicant and furnished to the Administrator whenever such report is required by the Administrator in specific cases.

(b) An adequate supply of hot water to enable proper cleaning shall be available.

(c) Hose connections with steam and water mixing valves or hot water hose connections shall be provided at convenient locations throughout the plant for cleaning purposes.

(d) The refuse rooms shall be provided with adequate facilities for washing refuse cans and other equipment in the rooms.

(e) Nonpotable water is permitted only in those parts of official establishments where no poultry product is processed or otherwise handled and then only for limited purposes such as on condensers not connected with the potable water supply, in vapor lines serving inedible product rendering tanks, and in sewerlines for moving heavy solids in the sewage. Nonpotable water is not permitted for washing floors, areas, or equipment, nor is it permitted in boilers, scalders, chill vats, or icemaking machines. In all cases, nonpotable water lines shall be clearly identified and shall not be cross connected with the potable water supply unless this is necessary for fire protection. Any such connection must have an adequate break to assure against accidental contamination, and must be approved by local authorities and by the Administrator. Any untested water supply in an official establishment shall be treated as a nonpotable supply.

(f) The circuit supervisor may permit the reuse of water in equipment where such water is used to thermally process canned product packed in hermetically sealed containers, provided:

(1) The reuse is for the identical original purpose.

(2) All pipelines, reservoirs, tanks, cooling towers, and like equipment employed in handling the reused water are so constructed and installed so they can be cleaned and drained, and are kept clean.