New Rule Requires Cleaner Aircraft Drinking Water

The Aircraft Drinking Water Rule tailors existing drinking water regulations to fit the unique characteristics of aircraft public water systems in an attempt to protect the public from illnesses that can result from microbial contamination.

The proposed rule will protect drinking water through monitoring, disinfection, and public notification, a combination that EPA believes will better protect public health than the existing rules, which are designed for stationary public water systems.

The approach builds on existing aircraft operations and maintenance programs and coordinates a number of federal programs that regulate aircraft water systems.

"We're upgrading airline drinking water standards to first-class status with better testing, treatment and maintenance," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin Grumbles.

The U.S. EPA is regulating the procedures used to provide drinking water to airline passengers. (Photo courtesy VOA)

In response, EPA began a process to revise the existing regulations for aircraft public water systems and placed 45 air carriers under administrative orders on consent that are in effect until the new aircraft drinking water regulations are final.

Some of the existing regulations for traditional, stationary public water systems have proven difficult to implement when applied to aircraft water systems, which are operationally very different.

Aircraft must maintain rigorous operating schedules. They fly to multiple destinations throughout the course of any given day and may board drinking water from sources at any of these destinations. Aircraft board water from airport watering points via temporary connections.

While only finished water that requires no further treatment is boarded, aircraft drinking water safety depends on the quality of the water that is boarded from multiple sources, the care used to board the water, and the operation and maintenance of the onboard water system and the water transfer equipment, such as water cabinets, trucks, carts, and hoses.

Airport authorities generally purchase water from regulated public water systems that must comply with drinking water regulations. Still, there is some risk that this water could be contaminated due to treatment failure, plumbing problems, cross connection/backflow problems, water main breaks, and contaminated storage tanks.

Under the proposed rule, the EPA is requiring each air carrier to develop a coliform sampling plan for each aircraft within six months after the final rule is published in the Federal Register.

If the air carrier disinfects and flushes the entire water system at least quarterly, then coliform monitoring must occur at least annually.

If the air carrier disinfects and flushes the entire water system one to three times per year, then coliform monitoring must occur at least quarterly; or if the air carrier disinfects and flushes the entire water system less than once per year, then coliform monitoring must occur at least monthly.

If any routine or repeat sample is fecal coliform-positive or E. coli-positive, then the air carrier must restrict public access to the aircraft water system, which includes providing notification to passengers and crew as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after being notified of the positive result.

Conduct disinfection and flushing prior to resumption of unrestricted public access to the aircraft water system or no later than 72 hours if the aircraft water system cannot be physically disconnected/shut off to the crew and passengers.

Collect follow-up samples after disinfection and flushing is performed to ensure the effectiveness of the process.

If water contamination is found, the airlines must restrict public access, provide public notification, including posting notices at lavatory and galley taps stating that the water is not for consumption. They must provide bottled water for coffee making and drinking; and provide antiseptic alcohol-based hand gels or wipes for handwashing.

The airlines must then clean and disinfect hoses, transfer pumps, water trucks, and other equipment.

Part of the new rule requires airlines to develop written standard operating procedures, and provide training for sanitary water transfer practices and aircraft cleaning.

In developing the proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule, the EPA used a collaborative process to obtain a broad range of views including the airlines, flight attendants, passengers, pilots, airports, laboratories, public health officials and environmental organizations.

In the 2006 public meeting, a participant noted that if the rule is too burdensome or costly, airlines are likely to investigate ways to avoid being subject to it. For example, regional airlines may switch to five gallon tanks of bottled water.

The EPA does not require aircraft to have running water in the lavatories. That is a requirement of the Food and Drug Administration, which also regulates bottled water. The FDA also has jurisdiction over culinary water such as ice and the points where aircraft obtain water at the airport.

Although sampling efforts uncovered a problem with drinking water quality on planes, smaller airlines, particularly regional airlines, are concerned about the cost of fixing the problem, said one workshop participant. Regional airlines on tight budgets need flexibility, he said.

The EPA's proposed rule applies to the aircraft's onboard water system only. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for regulating the airport watering points, including the water cabinets, carts, trucks, and hoses from which aircraft board water.

The EPA and the states are responsible for regulating public water systems that supply drinking water to the airport watering points.

While the proposed rule only addresses aircraft within the U.S. jurisdiction, the EPA is also supporting an international effort led by the World Health Organization to develop international guidelines for aircraft drinking water.

The proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule is online at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2008/April/Day-09/w7035.htm. The public comment period on the proposed rule is open through July 8, 2008.

Submit comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2005-0025, by one of the following methods:

• http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: ow-docket@epa.gov.
• Postal mail: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.

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