Potable Water Testing

We use municipal water for food processing. we have an independent lab to conduct our annual testing, but I would like to know is there a specific list of chemicals that are required to test for.

Thanks

 

All I ever did was get the water report for the municipality and go to the local health department or wherever you would get a home water testing kit as if you were on well water and take at least three samples from  three different spots in your facility and submit it to the lab for the results. I would do ACC, Ecoli, Coliform at a minimum.

Municipal water standards in the USA have to comply with US Environmental Protection Agency water standards.  Each state may have its own water standards too. 

Go to https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech to see EPA standards for chemicals and a link to state standards.

I tend to test for coliforms, generic E.coli, heterotrophic plate count, and heavy metals.

You only test once a year?

No, we have a third party testing on a monthly basis, i wanted to make sure we are testing correctly. we are testing at the source of use for Total Coliform (Colilert) and Chlorine, Total Residual to date.

No, we have a third party testing on a monthly basis, i wanted to make sure we are testing correctly. we are testing at the source of use for Total Coliform (Colilert) and Chlorine, Total Residual to date.

We use municipal water for food processing. we have an independent lab to conduct our annual testing, but I would like to know is there a specific list of chemicals that are required to test for.

 

Thanks

I suggest you have a look at the Code/Guidance.

This topic is discussed in considerable detail in section 11.5 of Code and in the Guidance.

  a "definition" of "potable" given  is  -
 

 

Potable water, or drinking water, is water that is safe enough to be consumed by humans or used with low risk of harm.

 

SQF Guidance 11.5.4 has -

The supplier must be aware of the national and/or international potable water standards and any microbiological or chemical water standards imposed by customers.  Analysis (refer 11.5.6) must be
conducted to ensure water continues to meet the required standard.

 

Suggests that Post 3 is relevant but the Guidance should also be consulted.

Also see this slightly older post/thread -

https://www.ifsqn.co...d-manufacturer/

(Posts 1,2, 8 et seq)

PS - I noticed that the clause 11.5.6 quoted above seems to not exist. !!

City water records, do an annual potable water panel (most certified labs will have a kit they can send you), and monthly samples for APC, Ecoli, and TC.  If you find that your monthly samples for APC, Ecoli, and TC are typically low to not detectable, then you can do a risk assessment on how often you actually have to test your water for APC, Ecoli, and TC.  Our SQF auditor was okay with this scheme.

City water records, do an annual potable water panel (most certified labs will have a kit they can send you), and monthly samples for APC, Ecoli, and TC.  If you find that your monthly samples for APC, Ecoli, and TC are typically low to not detectable, then you can do a risk assessment on how often you actually have to test your water for APC, Ecoli, and TC.  Our SQF auditor was okay with this scheme.

Hi katie,

Thks above.

Implies that an auditee can probably (politely) ignore the last sentence in quote below from the Guidance -

(and possibly also the chemical aspects discussed earlier)

Any water that is used in the process that could come in contact with the product must be verified to be in compliance with local and national standards.  In the US and Australia for example, the potability standard for drinking water is <1 coliform / 100 mL water and membrane filtration is the preferred method.  However, standards also apply for Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, enterovirulent E.coli, Vibrio cholera, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter jejuni, and protozoa.

 

In order to be deemed potable by any body, the water would have to be free from salmonella et all as Charles mentioned

The purpose of the monthly testing is NOT to verify potability from your municipality, but to confirm it remains potable within your 4 walls

If you take it to ANY accredited lab and/or health unit, and ask for potability testing, they will know what do and test for