There are some things you just know. They don’t need to “examined further” or “put to the test” or “looked at by experts.” They’re things you simply know are true. Such is the case with my instincts about airplane water. I have ALWAYS been leery about water on airplanes and now I know that my instincts were correct.
A study released this week by the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that some planes have “unwanted stowaways” in their water supply – potentially dangerous bacteria that could make you sick. I knew it!
“What we have in the water right now from our test results is an indication that there could be a safety concern,” says Tom Skinner, the Environmental Protection Agency’s chief enforcement officer.
The EPA report states that over the past six months, the agency has randomly tested water on more than 300 planes both domestic and foreign carriers. The results: In one out of every seven planes, the EPA found “water that did not meet federal standards.” Personally, I think that’s an understatement considering the report goes on to say that the airplane’s water contained bacteria like coliform and E. coli — which are often associated with human feces.
So what happens if you happen to drink contaminated airplane water? Medical experts say if it’s tainted with E.coli you may suffer “stomach cramps, nausea — symptoms that can look very similar to the flu or food poisoning.” I don’t know about you, but I find the news very disturbing—despite having a gut feeling that airplane water was gross to begin with. But, what made me even queasier was the report’s estimation of what was causing the contamination.
The EPA says they can’t pinpoint the exact source of contamination: “Each time the plane lands at an airport, new water can be pumped on board through hoses that are very difficult to clean.” Basically, bacteria can grow in the plane’s water tanks and hoses.
That contaminated water then ends up not only in the restrooms where you wash your hands or brush your teeth, but also in the galleys, where food and drinks are prepared.
Of course, the Air Transport Association, which represents the major airlines in the U.S., disputes the EPA’s findings, and says passengers have nothing to fear.
“We absolutely believe that aircraft water is safe,” say ATA representatives. “No one has gotten sick from drinking aircraft drinking water, and in fact, the CDC reports no waterborne illnesses from drinking water.”
In the EPA’s report the agency did agree that there have been no outbreaks of illness from plane water — but it still is issued a public warning about the water that reads: “Passengers with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, cancer patients, pregnant women and young children should not drink airplane water.”
As a result of the EPA’s study, the airline industry has agreed to new regulations: “Carriers will now disinfect their water tanks every three months. They will disinfect their water trucks, hoses and carts once a month. And they’ll test the water on every aircraft at least once a year and notify the EPA when tests come back positive.” The EPA says airlines will face fines if they don’t take the proper steps to make sure the water is safe.
As for travelers, the EPA recommends that you:
· Ask for bottled water on planes.
· Avoid brushing your teeth or drinking the water in the restrooms.
· Ask for bottled water to wash your hands with, or use anti-bacterial gels or wipes that kill germs in lieu of washing with airplane water.