The need for a clean, safe onboard potable water supply is crystal clear.
Whether used for drinking, making tea and coffee, washing hands or brushing teeth, a safe, high quality supply of onboard potable water is essential on today's commercial aircraft. Yet in recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tests, 17% of the aircraft tested were found to have unacceptable levels of contamination in their onboard water supply. Regulators in Canada, Europe and elsewhere are also paying close attention to the issue.
That contamination of aircraft water supplies is widespread comes as no surprise to those who understand the many ways in which harmful bacteria, viruses and protozoa can enter a potable water supply:
Source Water: Aircraft potable water is typically loaded from municipal systems which are susceptible to contamination. While municipal water quality has always been a concern in some parts of the world, it is now becoming an issue in North America as well. As recent outbreaks of waterborne disease in carries Canada and the US illustrate, dependence on any municipal water supply carries inherent risk.
Ground Handling: Even when the source water is clean, contamination can make its way into a water supply during ground handling because of contaminated water trucks, contaminated hoses, or from improper handling procedures by ramp crew.
Onboard Generation: The aircraft water system itself can be the source of contamination. Microorganisms can grow within the water tanks, water lines, and even the water filters. This situation is exacerbated by the standard, air pressurized water systems that allow water to remain still in the tank and distribution lines until a faucet is opened and the water begins to move. Bacteria thrive in such conditions, which also encourage bacterial regrowth almost immediately after system cleaning.
For many operators, bottled water has been the answer, but it is expensive, heavy, and only partially addresses health concerns because onboard water is still used in galleys and lavatories - first class and economy.
Growing Concern
In recent years, word of aircraft water quality issues has spread, generating negative media
coverage, attracting the attention of regulators worldwide, and giving airline passengers a new
cause for concern. The EPA is currently in the process of drafting new, more stringent quality
regulations for aircraft potable water and the world's other regulators will follow suit.
The Solution Exists
In the face of this increased scrutiny, commercial airlines are looking to the experience of
Corporate and VIP aircraft operators, who have known for over 20 years that IWG has the solution.
For more information on IWG solutions to water quality issues for both the Commercial and
Corporate aircraft market, click on the links to the left or contact us directly.
