1910.141(b)(2): Nonpotable water
Key takeaways
- 1910.141(b)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 7 times in the last 3 years, in 6 inspections, with $4,200 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1910.141(b) Water supply (91 citations).
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What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.141(b)(2) ("Nonpotable water") is one requirement inside 1910.141 Sanitation, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) Nonpotable water. 7 citations
(i) Outlets for nonpotable water, such as water for industrial or firefighting purposes, shall be posted or otherwise marked in a manner that will indicate clearly that the water is unsafe and is not to be used for drinking, washing of the person, cooking, washing of food, washing of cooking or eating utensils, washing of food preparation or processing premises, or personal service rooms, or for washing clothes. Open (b)(2)(i) 3 citations
(ii) Construction of nonpotable water systems or systems carrying any other nonpotable substance shall be such as to prevent backflow or backsiphonage into a potable water system.
(iii) Nonpotable water shall not be used for washing any portion of the person, cooking or eating utensils, or clothing. Nonpotable water may be used for cleaning work premises, other than food processing and preparation premises and personal service rooms: Provided, That this nonpotable water does not contain concentrations of chemicals, fecal coliform, or other substances which could create insanitary conditions or be harmful to employees. 4 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.141.
Export the list: 6 inspections cited 1910.141(b)(2) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.141(b)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.141(b) Water supply 91 citations
- 1910.141(b)(1) Potable water 84 citations
- 1910.141(b)(1)(i) 78 citations
- 1910.141(b)(2)(i) 3 citations
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.141 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.