What is a hose union tap?

A hose union tap is a tap to which a hose can be connected. Hoses attached to hose union taps are considered to be a high contamination risk. This is because backflow via a hosepipe submerged in a bucket, trough, puddle, drain or pond is a very real possibility.

Conversely a tap to which a hose cannot be connected is called a bib tap. Providing that a suitable gap between the tap outlet and the spill over level of whatever it is discharging water into is maintained at all times these taps are typically considered to be a lower risk than a hose union tap.