If Bad Water Is Found, Notices Are Posted Or Plane Is Grounded

The EPA and 12 airlines have agreed to improve the quality of water aboard passenger aircraft, after the discovery of a bacteria common in feces had infected the water in 12-percent of the fleet.

"The objective is to ensure that water passengers drink from their plane is as safe as from their home water system," says Ben Grumbles with EPA's Office of Water in an interview with USA Today.

From this point forward, the airlines have flush the potable water systems aboard their planes every three months. In addition, the carriers will inspect the water systems aboard their aircraft at least once a year.

"The objective is to ensure that water passengers drink from their plane is as safe as from their home water system," said the EPA's Ben Grumbles.

Delta Airlines has agreed to act as a model for the rest of the industry. If the coliform bacteria is found in a plane's potable water supply, all 12 carriers have agreed to post notices in the aircraft galley and lavatories until the system can be flushed, disenfected and retested. Otherwise, the planes must be grounded until the bacterial infestation is addressed.

Aside from Delta, the carriers that have agreed to follow the EPA's new standards are:

• Alaska
• Aloha
• American
• America West
• ATA
• Coninental
• Hawaiian
• JetBlue
• Midwest
• Northwest
• United
• US Airways

FMI: www.epa.gov