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+' Public Health Service <br /> DEPART'NIENT Or HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Adrr>tnisiraUon <br /> f <br /> 3 <br /> •'` Y 1 <br /> U.S. Fooc and Drug Administration <br /> MEMORANDUMOfficeof the Regional Food and Drug Director <br /> Oakland Feceral Building <br /> 1301 Clav Street. Suite x1180N <br /> Oakland. C:,9x612-521' <br /> April 2, 1999 <br /> From: FDA Pacific Region Dairy Products Team4Li__ <br /> To: All Pacific Region Dairy Program Mangers/FDA Rating Officers <br /> Subject: Dairy Farm Cow Wash Tanks — Inspection Accessibility <br /> Large volume "cow wash" tanks have become popular on the dairy farm to retain water <br /> for sprinkler pens, gutter flushes and other non-potable uses. Typically these tanks are <br /> top-fed by a number of water sources including but not limited to private wells, <br /> compressor system water, and plate cooler water. These tanks may be 20 feet tall or <br /> taller with many having no convenient access to the top of the tank. <br /> Section 7, item 8r, of the 1995 PMO requires as follows: "Water for the milk house and <br /> milking operations shall be from a supply properly located, protected, and operated and <br /> shall be easily accessible, adequate, and of a safe, sanitary supply." The potable water <br /> lines feeding the cow wash tanks need to be protected by either a) Properly installed back <br /> flow prevention devices which are appropriate for the application or b) Appropriately <br /> sized air gap and overflow. Those cow wash tanks where the water protection cannot be <br /> fully viewed and assessed from the ground must provide a safe means for accessing the <br /> top of the tank to allow inspection of the incoming lines. If potable line protection <br /> cannot be assessed, the farm shall be debited under item 8r (5 points) during an IMS <br /> rating or check-rating. <br /> To allow for changes and modifications to the current systems, this interpretation will not <br /> go into effect until October 1, 1999. <br /> c. R. Elsberrv, R. Hennes/FDA Pacific Region <br />