Q: Vent Screens - Potable Water Tanks

QUESTION: Are potable water tanks required to have protection such as a screen on the vents for safety or to prevent bugs from getting in? RESPONSE: Yes. Vent screens are one of the measures that might be used to prevent contamination of potable water. 46 CFR 140.510(b) - As far as practicable, the owner or managing operator must implement other types of safety control measures before relying on Personal Protective Equipment. These controls may include administrative, engineering, source modification, substitution, process change or controls, isolation, ventilation, or other controls. Further, the regulations also state: 21 CFR 1250.82(c) - Each potable water tank shall be provided with a means of drainage and, if it is equipped with a manhole, overflow, vent, or a device for measuring depth of water, provision shall be made to prevent entrance into the tank of any contaminating substance. No deck or sanitary drain or pipe carrying any nonpotable water or liquid shall be permitted to pass through the tank.

Q: Vent Screens - Potable Water Tanks

QUESTION: Are potable water tanks required to have protection such as a screen on the vents for safety or to prevent bugs from getting in? RESPONSE: Yes. Vent screens are one of the measures that might be used to prevent contamination of potable water. 46 CFR 140.510(b) - As far as practicable, the owner or managing operator must implement other types of safety control measures before relying on Personal Protective Equipment. These controls may include administrative, engineering, source modification, substitution, process change or controls, isolation, ventilation, or other controls. Further, the regulations also state: 21 CFR 1250.82(c) - Each potable water tank shall be provided with a means of drainage and, if it is equipped with a manhole, overflow, vent, or a device for measuring depth of water, provision shall be made to prevent entrance into the tank of any contaminating substance. No deck or sanitary drain or pipe carrying any nonpotable water or liquid shall be permitted to pass through the tank.

Question 1

Vent Screens - Potable Water Tanks

Ken Lamph · Accepted Answer

QUESTION: Are potable water tanks required to have protection such as a screen on the vents for safety or to prevent bugs from getting in?

RESPONSE: Yes. Vent screens are one of the measures that might be used to prevent contamination of potable water.

46 CFR 140.510(b) – As far as practicable, the owner or managing operator must implement other types of safety control measures before relying on Personal Protective Equipment. These controls may include administrative, engineering, source modification, substitution, process change or controls, isolation, ventilation, or other controls.

Further, the regulations also state:

21 CFR 1250.82(c) – Each potable water tank shall be provided with a means of drainage and, if it is equipped with a manhole, overflow, vent, or a device for measuring depth of water, provision shall be made to prevent entrance into the tank of any contaminating substance. No deck or sanitary drain or pipe carrying any nonpotable water or liquid shall be permitted to pass through the tank.

Question 2