The Case for Water Testing
Phil Tocco, MSU Extension Educator
In reviewing the FSMA Proposed Water Rule, you might get the impression that testing water is no longer important. On the contrary, water testing is still fairly important, and here’s how.
One of the key exemptions in the proposed water rule is meeting postharvest water quality standards. If your water meets the postharvest water quality standard, you are exempted from conducting an Agricultural Water Assessment. For reference, Postharvest water must be either treated municipal water or ground water with no detectable generic E. coli per 100 ml., sampled four times per year initially and once per year thereafter. Additionally, untreated surface water must not be used postharvest.
Stepping back from these concerns about FSMA regulations, it is important to put water testing in context. If you are currently not testing any agricultural water used on fresh produce for generic E. coli, it is recommended you start. Choose any lab or method, as long as the result gives a number of generic E. coli that will help you understand the quality of your water supply.
If you are currently taking water samples for GAPs, use the accompanying guidance for the GAP scheme you are using to determine what to test for and how frequently. Don’t change anything about what you are testing for or how often you are testing. As the Federal guidelines change, and the water rule becomes final, then change sampling and what you test for. Until then, it is better to know a little bit with not necessarily the best test than to continue to be in the dark about your water quality.
This discussion is not a comprehensive look at the changes to FSMA in the proposed revisions. MSU Extension encourages you to take time to educate yourself about the revisions. You can do so by checking out our Proposed Water Rule Resources Page. If you would like more information on water testing, feel free to contact the Agrifood Safety Workgroup at (517) 788-4292 or at gaps@msu.edu.
Print
Email