DRINKING WATER may sound an unemotional subject but it is causing trouble in the US and will no doubt make for worrying newspaper headlines this side of the Atlantic too. It seems that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found evidence of harmful bacteria in the water of one of every eight aircraft tested. Whilst for the most part bottled water is drunk by passengers ”tap” water is certainly used on scheduled flights for tea and coffee. Twelve major US airlines have agreed to sanitation improvements and increased testing of drinking water aboard aircraft. Two months ago, EPA tested drinking water aboard 158 randomly selected domestic and international passenger aircraft and found that 20 had drinking water that did not meet Federal safety standards. If coliform bacteria were discovered aircraft would have to be disinfected within 24 hours. In the UK, as in the States, it is not the CAA but the (local) health authority who hold the responsibility. However bottled water may not be that great either. Go to the web sites
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=6678910§ion=news
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/96/103765.htm