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How to ensure water from a well is potable?

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Esther

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Posted 25 August 2016 - 08:25 PM

Hello all

 

I wonder if any of the Food companies where you are working on is using water (in the food production) area coming from a natural underground water well. If so, I would like to ask what kind of monitoring measures or procedures have been established to ensure that water is potable. This is, what measures  the officials are asking for in this regard?

 

I guess this situation is different from the bottling of natural mineral water.

 

Thank in advance to all you.

 

Best regards



WowQC

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Posted 25 August 2016 - 08:44 PM

Hello Esther,

 

Our water is from a private well on site. We test it quarterly at the local public health unit to ensure it is meeting potable water standards. We have it tested annually by a third party lab for chemical analysis (such as lead, mercury, etc.). In order to catch anything before it becomes an issue, we also test in house on a weekly basis using our total plate count micro swabs.

 

My suggestion is to check with your local public health unit to find out the drinking water requirements and standards for private residence and public buildings. Put testing in place to show compliance. Have corrective actions ready for any non-conformances.

 

Whatever testing you do, be sure to record results for trending. Auditors want to see this!

 

WowQC



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Charles.C

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Posted 25 August 2016 - 10:52 PM

Hi Esther,

 

I assume the location is in Spain.

 

I agree with the previous post but slightly ++. From my experience (not EC) there can be at least 3 Depatments involved with the well's usage -

 

(1) A local official department (D1) is specifically assigned to initially authorise wells as potential drinking water/allied  sources. They do basic micro-chemical -physical testing similar to previous post although somewhat expanded. If acceptable, responsibility for further testing is passed on to a Department (D2) associated with the intended use of any finished product.

(2) If food is involved, afaik Spain is a member of EC. The EC has issued a (highly) comprehensive BCP document covering sampling/analysis for potable water to be used in food-related situations (attached on this forum in various places). Unless Spain has it's own internal list (eg via Public Health Section) which is feasible, the EC list looks a logical choice. Department D2 either themselves or via a contracted Service Company analyse for compliance to the (likely) several pages of items listed. .

(3) I anticipate that various filtration/waste treatment systems will be involved. IMEX this can involve an additional Department (D3) who are particularly responsible for effluent control (eg BOD) but also become unavoidably concerned with the initial treatment materials/any associated chemicals.


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


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Leila Burin

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Posted 01 September 2016 - 03:34 PM

Attached File  agua RD 314.2016_Modifica 140.2003.pdf   471.23KB   12 downloads

 

Hello Esther!

check the new Spain regulation to control water,

best regards,

Leila



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Posted 01 September 2016 - 09:11 PM

attachicon.gifagua RD 314.2016_Modifica 140.2003.pdf

 

Hello Esther!

check the new Spain regulation to control water,

best regards,

Leila

 

Hi Leila,

 

Sadly, 21 Pgs of Spanish !

 

Interesting to see, I think, a collection of radiological requirements !

 

Does a translation exist anywhere ?

 

But thanks anyway. :thumbup:


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C




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