Pennsylvania Code
Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Part I - Department of Environmental Protection
Subpart C - Protection of Natural Resources
Article II - Water Resources
Chapter 109 - SAFE DRINKING WATER
Subchapter J - BOTTLED WATER AND VENDED WATER SYSTEMS, RETAIL WATER FACILITIES AND BULK WATER HAULING SYSTEMS
Section 109.1009 - System operational requirements

Universal Citation: 25 PA Code § 109.1009

Current through Register Vol. 55, No. 13, March 29, 2025

(a) General facilities operation. Facilities of bottled water and vended water systems, retail water facilities and bulk water hauling systems approved by written permit from the Department shall be operated in a manner consistent with the terms and conditions of the permit to achieve the level of treatment for which the facilities were designed.

(b) Special bottled water system requirements. Bottled water systems shall be operated in accordance with the standards of the Food and Drug Administration in 21 CFR Part 129 (relating to processing and bottling of bottled drinking water). Proof of this determination shall be submitted to the Department annually under § 109.1008(a)(1)(ii) (relating to system management responsibilities).

(c) Disinfectant residual requirements. A disinfectant residual acceptable to the Department shall be maintained at the entry point of the bottled water or vended water system, retail water facility or bulk water hauling system sufficient to assure compliance with the microbiological MCL specified in § 109.1002 (relating to MCLs, MRDLs or treatment techniques). The Department will determine the acceptable residual of the disinfectant considering factors such as type and form of disinfectant, temperature and pH of the water, and other characteristics of the water system.

(d) Disinfection of facilities following construction, modification or repair. After repairing, constructing or modifying a bottled water, vended water, retail water or bulk water hauling facility and before the facility is placed in service, it shall be properly cleaned and disinfected. Cleaning shall be in accordance with 21 CFR 129.80(c) and (d) (relating to processes and controls) and disinfection shall be with 50 ppm chlorine for 1 minute at 75°F or the equivalent.

(e) Dedicated equipment. Bottled water, vended water, retail water and bulk water may not be transported, stored or processed through equipment or lines used for any nonfood product. Bottled water, vended water, retail water and bulk water transported, stored or processed through equipment used for a food product other than water shall comply with the following cleaning and disinfection procedures:

(1) When foods other than milk or dairy products have been transported, stored, processed or bottled, each time before water is transported, stored, processed or bottled through the same lines or equipment, product contact surfaces shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in accordance with subsection (d).

(2) When milk or other dairy products are transported, stored or processed or bottled through the same lines or equipment as bottled water, vended water, retail water and bulk water, the feed line used to convey water to the filler shall be dedicated to water only. Each time before water is transported, stored or processed or bottled, other product contact surfaces shall be disassembled and cleaned in accordance with subsection (d).

(f) Special operational requirements for bottled water systems and retail water facilities.

(1) Bottled water systems and retail water facilities using ozone as a final disinfectant shall maintain an ozone residual of 0.1-0.4 ppm in the bottle immediately after filling.

(2) When ozone is used as a disinfectant for bottled water or retail water, gaskets, o-rings and similar flexible material shall be made of silicone rubber, teflon or other ozone-resistant material. These flexible parts shall be replaced when they show evidence of surface deterioration.

(g) Special operational requirements for water vending machine systems.

(1) Each vending machine shall be cleaned, serviced and sanitized in accordance with the manufacturer's service manuals, but at least once every 2 weeks. A record of all cleaning and maintenance operations for each machine shall be kept by the operator with a copy retained in the interior of the machine.

(2) A notice to consumers listing the industry's recommendations for the care, cleaning and type of container suitable for use with the water vending machine shall be posted at each water vending machine.

(h) Special operational requirements for bulk water hauling systems.

(1) Transportation tanks or containers shall be sealed at all times except when being cleaned, filled or when water is being delivered.

(2) Hoses, pumps, connections and fittings shall be sanitized prior to delivering water using a disinfectant solution containing at least 50 ppm of chlorine at 75°F for 1 minute or the equivalent.

(3) Hoses, pumps, connections and fittings used for loading and delivering potable water shall be stored, capped or covered and used so as to be protected from contamination at all times.

(4) A record of cleaning and sanitizing activities conducted on the interior of the transportation tank or transfer equipment shall be maintained with the vehicle and shall be available to the Department upon request.

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 109.1008 (relating to system management responsibilities).

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