Major Airlines Pledge to Disinfect Onboard Water

WASHINGTON, DC, November 10, 2004 (ENS) - Twelve major U.S. passenger airlines have told federal environmental officials that they are ready to implement new water testing and disinfection protocols aboard their aircraft. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday that it will issue new regulations governing aircraft drinking water.

The announcements from both sides follow the September 20 disclosure of test results that showed 12.6 percent of 158 domestic and international passenger aircraft tested carried water that did not meet EPA standards.

"The agreements we are announcing today will provide critical additional information, and at the same time provide increased protection to the flying public," said Thomas Skinner, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "EPA and the airlines have worked hard to address the issues raised by the initial water quality test results."

Alaska Airlines plane takes off. (Photo credit unknown)

Delta Airlines, which has already undertaken safety measures, and Southwest Airlines, which does not fly internationally, are negotiating separate agreements.

Ben Grumbles, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Water, said the EPA would issue new regulations because, "the existing regulations were designed to regulate water quality in stationary settings, not mobile aircraft with the capability of traveling throughout the world."

Grumbles said the rulemaking process would take two years, and that during that period the agreement announced Tuesday and resulting administrative orders signed by the airlines will govern airline drinking water safety.

The agreements call for airlines to increase monitoring and implement quarterly disinfection of water delivery systems aboard passenger aircraft. The agreements also strengthen public notification requirements when testing reveals water that does not meet EPA standards.

In August and September this year, as part of its enforcement activities, EPA randomly tested the water supplies on 158 randomly selected passenger domestic and international aircraft arriving at four U.S. airports. Aircraft tank water is used in the galleys and lavatory sinks.

Initial testing of onboard water supply revealed 20 aircraft with positive results for total coliform bacteria; two of the aircraft also tested positive for E. coli.

Southwest Airlines doe snot fly internationally, but the company will write a separate agreement with the EPA. (Photo courtesy FreeFoto)

E. coli is a subgroup of the fecal coliform group. It is found in great quantities in the intestines of people and warm-blooded animals. If total coliform is present in a drinking water sample, EPA requires that the water also be tested for E. coli or fecal coliform. Most E. coli are harmless, but some strains may cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.

According to the Air Transport Association (ATA), about 90 percent of ATA member aircraft have the potential to travel internationally. These aircraft may take on water from foreign sources that are not subject to EPA drinking water standards.

According to the EPA agreement, airlines will be required to perform an analysis of possible sources of contamination that exist outside the aircraft and to provide information related to practices of boarding water from foreign public water supplies not regulated by EPA.

The EPA will continue to work with smaller, regional and charter aircraft carriers to address drinking water quality with agreements similar to those reached with ATA members.

Since September, the ATA, which represents the 14 major U.S. airlines, and its members have worked with EPA to develop an agreement that will immediately reduce public health risks to passengers and provide additional testing to help the EPA determine the nature and extent of the problem.

EPA began a review of existing guidance in 2002. In response to the aircraft test results in August and September, EPA has initiated an accelerated rule-making process to develop regulations for water aboard aircraft.

EPA will work collaboratively with other federal agencies overseeing the airline industry, industry representatives and the interested public to identify appropriate requirements ensuring safe drinking water aboard aircraft.

EPA also announced the start of more water quality inspections, on 169 randomly selected domestic and international passenger aircraft at 14 U.S. airports. Those results will be available to the public by early January.

For more information on the regulation of water supplies aboard passenger aircraft and to view publicly available testing data, go to: http://www.epa.gov/airlinewater