Sec. 144.055. WATER SUPPLY

(a) The water supply used by a rendering establishment must be either a public water supply acceptable to the department or a private supply that is located, constructed, and treated, if necessary, to provide water of a safe, sanitary quality and that complies with department requirements.

(b) The establishment's water supply may not be physically connected to any unsafe or questionable supply. Water from an unsafe or questionable supply may be used only for limited purposes, such as fire control or for ammonia condensers. A supply line for unsafe or questionable water must be clearly identified.

(c) Hot and cold water must be conveniently accessible to all parts of the establishment. The water must be under ample pressure, and must be available through outlets and in quantities as necessary to meet effectively the needs of the establishment at all times. The hot water system must have sufficient capacity to furnish ample water with a temperature of at least 180 degrees Fahrenheit during processing and cleanup.

(d) The plumbing system in a rendering establishment must be installed in compliance with state law and applicable local plumbing ordinances, and must be designed, installed, and maintained to protect the establishment's water supply from contamination through cross-connections, back siphonage, back-flow leakage, or condensation. The plumbing system must readily carry away all liquid wastes.

(e) If necessary to prevent discharge into the drainage system of solid wastes likely to clog the drainage system, liquid wastes containing solid materials must be passed through a separator or indirect-waste receptor that effectively retains the solids before discharge into the drainage system.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.