Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 105 - Agriculture Department
Chapter 1540 - MEAT INSPECTION
Part 1540.0560 - WATER SUPPLY

The water supply shall be ample, clean, and potable, with adequate facilities for its distribution in the plant and its protection against contamination and pollution. Every establishment shall make known and, whenever required, shall afford opportunity for inspection of the source of its water supply, the storage facilities, and the distribution system. Equipment using potable water shall be so installed as to prevent back-siphonage into the potable water system. Nonpotable water is permitted only in those parts of the establishments where no edible product is handled or prepared, and then only for limited purposes such as on ammonia condensers not connected with the potable water supply, in vapor lines serving inedible product rendering tanks, in connection with equipment used for hashing and washing inedible products preparatory to tanking, and in sewer lines moving heavy solids in the sewage. Nonpotable water is not permitted for washing floors, areas, or equipment involved in trucking materials to and from edible products departments, nor is it permitted in hog scalding vats, dehairing machines, or vapor lines serving edible product rendering equipment, or for cleanup of shackling pens, bleeding areas, or runways within the slaughtering department. 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 and such connection is of a type with an adequate break to assure against accidental contamination, and is approved by the commissioner.

Statutory Authority: MS s 31A.08