Under what condition can potable water hoses be orange?

Potable water hoses can be orange when they are unused to easily identify them and prevent confusion with non-potable water hoses or other types of hoses. The use of color coding is a safety measure that helps ensure that personnel do not inadvertently use a hose for non-potable purposes. Orange is a distinct color that stands out, serving as a visual cue to indicate that these hoses are not yet in use and are designated for drinking water, thus enhancing safety in operations where various types of hoses could be present. This practice promotes proper handling and reduces the risk of cross-contamination, which is critical in maintaining water quality standards.

While hoses can be used or new, those conditions do not mandate a specific color, and damage to a hose could result in it being taken out of service altogether. Therefore, the usage of orange as a color indicator is specifically associated with the unused status of the hose.