Potable Water at NYP

This hose mechanisms are found numerously stuck to the concrete pillars between two tracks. What is it for?

Potable means drinkable. Drinking water on the track level is available at Penn Sta?

There are also mechanisms losated in Sunnyside marked "Potable" and "Unpotable".

I know that in NYP, the potable water hoses on the platforms were used to refill the drinking water tanks in the Pullmans on through trains that were not turned and serviced at Sunnyside yard. Before things really went downhill on the PRR, even the MP54's (Arrow predecessors) had their drinking water dispensers refilled, especially in the summer months, on the platform when they turned.

Periodically, GG-1's would be topped off with water for their steam generators (used to heat the coaches) in the winter months if required before a yard servicing.