What Is NSF/ANSI 61?
Drinking Water Certifications Unfurled
NSF/ANSI 61 is the industry standard used to evaluate products and materials that come into contact with drinking water. For potable water tank liners, certification helps verify that materials and complete systems do not introduce harmful contaminants into the water supply. Understanding what is actually certified can help engineers, municipalities, and facility managers make informed specification decisions.
What Is NSF/ANSI 61?
If a product comes into contact with drinking water, safety matters.
NSF/ANSI 61 is a nationally recognized standard that establishes health effects requirements for materials, products, and components used in drinking water systems. The goal is to help ensure that products do not leach contaminants into potable water that could affect public health.
The standard is commonly referenced for:
- Potable water tank linings
- Water storage tanks
- Pipes and fittings
- Valves
- Gaskets
- Pumps
- Coatings
- Membrane liner systems
For municipalities, utilities, engineers, and facility operators, specifying NSF/ANSI 61-certified products helps support safe drinking water systems.
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What Does NSF 61 Certified Mean?
NSF/ANSI 61 certification means a product has been evaluated to determine whether it contributes contaminants to drinking water above allowable limits.
Testing focuses on potential chemical extraction from materials that come into contact with potable water under controlled conditions.
Certification shows that the product meets the requirements established by the NSF/ANSI 61 standard for its intended application.
It’s important to remember that certification is not about product quality or durability. It specifically addresses drinking water safety.
Why Certification Matters for Potable Water Tank Linings
Water storage tanks are a critical part of municipal, commercial, and industrial water systems.
Any material that comes into direct contact with potable water has the potential to affect water quality if it has not been properly evaluated.
Selecting certified tank lining systems helps operators:
- Protect drinking water quality
- Support regulatory compliance
- Reduce specification uncertainty
- Increase confidence during inspections
- Help safeguard public health
For engineers writing specifications, certification often becomes a required project criterion rather than an optional feature.
A Certified Sheet Is Not Always a Certified System
One of the most common misunderstandings involves assuming that every liner made from a certified sheet material automatically results in a certified installation.
That is not necessarily the case.
A complete tank lining system includes more than just the membrane itself.
Additional elements may include:
- Factory-fabricated seams
- Attachment methods
- Welding processes
- Accessories
- Installation details
If only the sheet material has been evaluated, the complete installed system may not carry the same certification.
For potable water applications, understanding exactly what has been certified is an important part of the specification process.
Why System-Level Certification Matters
System-level certification evaluates the complete assembly that comes into contact with drinking water rather than focusing on a single component.
This provides greater confidence that the finished installation performs as intended while maintaining drinking water safety.
For projects involving municipal water storage or other potable water applications, specifying a certified system can help simplify project review and documentation.
Quality-First Manufacturing
We manufacture each one of our liners with the strongest materials, resulting in a longer lifespan. The liner itself is strong enough to protect the container, while being resistant to chemical corrosion. Providing a complete solution for a variety of industries.
Understanding the Relationship Between NSF/ANSI 61 and AWWA D130
While these standards are often mentioned together, they address different aspects of potable water infrastructure.
NSF/ANSI 61
NSF/ANSI 61 evaluates the health effects of products and materials that come into contact with drinking water.
Its primary focus is protecting water quality by limiting contaminants that may leach from materials.
AWWA D130
AWWA D130 provides guidance for the design and installation of thermoplastic liners used in potable water storage tanks.
Rather than replacing NSF/ANSI 61, it complements the standard by addressing installation practices and performance considerations.
Together, these standards help engineers specify both safe materials and appropriate installation methods.
How to Verify an NSF/ANSI 61 Certification
If you’re evaluating a potable water tank lining, verification is straightforward.
Before specifying a product, consider the following steps:
- Request documentation from the manufacturer.
- Confirm exactly what is certified.
- Review the intended application listed in the certification.
- Verify the listing through the official NSF database.
- Confirm that the certification matches your project requirements.
Taking a few minutes to verify certification can help prevent specification issues later in the project.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does NSF 61 certified mean?
It means a product has been evaluated to determine whether it contributes contaminants to drinking water above allowable limits for its intended use.
Is NSF 61 required for water tanks?
Many potable water projects require products that comply with NSF/ANSI 61, although requirements vary depending on local regulations and project specifications.
What materials can touch drinking water?
Materials intended for potable water applications should be appropriate for drinking water contact and, where required, certified to applicable standards such as NSF/ANSI 61.
How can I verify an NSF/ANSI 61 certification?
Manufacturers should be able to provide certification documentation, and listings can also be verified through the official NSF certification database to confirm exactly which products or systems are certified.
Choose a Potable Water Tank Lining with Confidence
When selecting a tank lining for drinking water applications, understanding the difference between certified materials and certified systems is just as important as selecting the right liner.
Fab-Seal provides NSF/ANSI 61-certified tank liner systems designed for potable water applications. By combining high-quality liner materials with factory-fabricated construction and system-level certification, Fab-Seal helps municipalities, engineers, and facility operators specify solutions that support both long-term performance and drinking water safety.
If you’re planning a potable water tank rehabilitation project or specifying a new liner system, the Fab-Seal team can help you select a certified solution that meets your project’s requirements. Call (800) 874-0166, or fill out our form and we will contact you as soon as possible!
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Contact us today and learn how our custom-fabricated liners are the ideal solution for most containment applications!