Water supplies.

Houston Code of Ordinances § 20-212

in effect

Sec. 20-212. - Water supplies. (a) All water used in vending machines shall be of a safe and sanitary quality and from a source constructed and operated according to all applicable laws. Water used as a food ingredient shall be piped to the vending machine under pressure, except that in controlled location vending machines, water may be obtained from a safe source and carried to the machines in containers that are clean and of good sanitary construction. External water-fill parts and drawers of controlled location vending machines shall be designed so that covers and drawers are secured to the machine. All plumbing connections and fittings shall be installed and maintained according to all applicable laws. (b) If used, water filters or other water conditioning devices shall be of a type which may be disassembled for periodic cleaning or replacement of the active element. (c) To prevent leaching of toxic materials caused by possible interaction of carbonated water, piping and contact surfaces, post-mix soft drink vending machines manufactured after January 1, 1975, which are designed with an incoming water supply air gap, shall have no copper tubing or other potentially toxic water system tubing between the air gap and the downstream, carbonated water dispensing nozzle. (d) To prevent leaching of toxic materials caused by possible interaction of carbonated water, piping and contact surfaces, of post-mix soft drink vending machines which are indirectly connected to the external water supply system shall be equipped with a double (or two single) spring-loaded check valve or other devices which will provide positive protection against the entrance of carbon dioxide or carbonated water into the water supply system. Backflow preventive devices shall be located to facilitate servicing and maintenance. No copper tubing or other potentially toxic tubing or contact surfaces shall be permitted in or downstream from the check valves or backflow devices. These check valves or backflow devices shall be inspected and cleaned or replaced not less than once every 12 months, and the holder of the food dealer's permit under which the machine is operated shall maintain a record thereof for inspection by the health officer upon request. (e) Where spring-loaded check valves are used to prevent the backflow of carbon dioxide into accessible upstream copper or to other potentially toxic piping or tubing, a screen of not less than 100 mesh to the inch shall be installed in the water line immediately upstream from the check valves in a location which permits servicing or replacement. (f) In all vending machines in which carbon dioxide is used as a propellant, all food-contact surfaces from the check valves or other protective devices, including the valves of devices, shall be of such material as to preclude the production of toxic substances which might result from interaction with carbon dioxide or carbonated water. (Code 1968, § 19-612; Ord. No. 83-744, § 1, 5-17-83; Ord. No. 07-1051, §§ 3, 6(Exh. B), 9-12-07)

Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH20FODR_ARTIVVEMA_S20-212WASUFetched: 10/26/2026