Rinse thoroughly with hot tap water. In most cases, your drinking and cooking water should be suitable to store for emergency purposes. A public water supply is defined as one that provides piped water for human consumption to at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals. While you may expect water from a public water supply in the united states to be potable, inadequate cleaning of the container used to collect and store the water could result in bacterial contamination. Private water supply Private water supplies are not subject to any regulation.
Testing is the only way to determine if water from a private water supply is potable.
The test should be done by an HHS-approved laboratory. It is generally recommended private water supplies be tested for bacterial safety at least once a year. Again, inadequate cleaning and disinfection of the container used to collect and store the water could result in bacterial contamination. Water vending machines are systems where customers fill their own containers with treated water. Since FDA requires water for vending machines come from an approved public water supply, the assumption is that the water meets EPA drinking water standards.