[Regarding] someone who was consecrating [mei chatas] and the consecration [ashes] fell on his hand or on the side [of the trough] and afterward fell into the trough, [the consecration] is invalid. [If] they fell from the tube into the trough, [the consecration] is invalid.  [If] he took [ashes] from the tube and he [then] covered [the tube] or closed the door, the consecration [ashes] are valid but the water is invalid.  [If] he stood [the tube] up on the ground, [the ashes] are in-valid; [if he held the tube] in his hand, [the ashes] are valid, because it is possible [to guard them].

[If] the consecration [ashes] were floating on top of the water, R’ Meir and R’ Shimon say: He may take [the ashes] and con-secrate [mei chatas with them]. But the Sages say: Any [ashes] that touched the water, one may not consecrate [mei chatas] with them.  [If] he sprinkled the [consecrated] water, and found consecration [ashes] at the bottom, R’ Meir and R’ Shimon say: He may dry [them] and consecrate [mei chatas with them]. But the Sages say: Any [ashes] that have touched the water, one may not consecrate [mei chatas] with them.

[Regarding] one who is consecrating [mei chatas] in a trough and there is a tefi-bottle in [the trough], even though the mouth [of the tefi-bottle] is extremely narrow, the water within it is consecrated.  If there was a sponge [in the trough], the water within [the sponge] is invalid. What should he do? He should pour out [the water in the trough] until he reaches the sponge. [If] he touched the sponge, even though water is floating above it in any amount, [the water] is invalid.

[If] one positioned his hand or his foot or vegetable leaves so that the water should pass over into the barrel, [the water] is invalid; [if he positioned] reed leaves or walnut leaves, [the water] is valid. This is the general rule: [If it is] something that is susceptible to tumah, [it] is invalid; [if it is] something that is not susceptible to tumah, [it] is valid.