Is flying tap safe?

With air travel becoming increasingly common, more people are wondering about the safety of airplane tap water, also known as flying tap. Tap water on airplanes comes from the same tanks that supply the aircraft’s toilets and coffee makers. Understandably, this leads many travelers to question whether flying tap is safe to drink.

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What are the concerns about airplane tap water?

There are two main concerns regarding the safety of tap water on airplanes:

Contamination from aircraft tanks – Airplane tap water is stored in tanks that are also used to hold jet fuel, deicing fluid, and other potential contaminants. There is a risk of chemical residues leaking into the water if the tanks are not properly maintained.

Poor water treatment – Most airlines do not filter or disinfect water provided on flights. This means bacteria, viruses, and other microbes may be present in airplane tap water.

Additionally, airplanes fly to destinations all over the world and may refill tanks with local water sources of questionable quality. Frequent take-offs, landings, and changes in air pressure can all contribute to water contamination issues as well.

What do experts and studies say about flying tap safety?

The few studies that have analyzed airplane tap water quality have turned up some concerning results:

A 2004 EPA study found coliform bacteria in 15% of tested aircraft water samples. Coliform bacteria indicate potential fecal contamination.
A 2009 Health Canada study detected traces of E. coli in airplane water samples. Certain E. coli strains can cause severe illness.
Researchers from the University of Colorado detected the presence of metal contaminants like chromium and nickel in airplane tap water samples.

However, studies have limitations, such as small sample sizes. Many experts acknowledge there is insufficient data to make broad claims about overall airplane tap water quality and safety. More comprehensive research is needed.

The International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) currently classifies airplane tap water as “potentially unsafe.” It advises caution and suggests travelers stick to bottled water when flying. Other experts recommend similar precautions.

What are the current regulations for flying tap water?

The U.S. EPA drinking water regulations do not fully apply to airlines. Instead, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) sets standards for aircraft water tanks, treatment equipment, and quality monitoring.

FAA requirements include:

Disinfecting water tanks 4 times per year
Conducting routine coliform bacteria testing on aircraft tap water

Equipping planes with onboard water treatment if water is loaded internationally

Critics argue these measures are still too lax. Many advocate for stricter regulations and mandatory filtration and disinfection of airplane tap water, like what is required for other public water systems.

What precautions do airlines take?

Many major airlines use some combination of the following precautions:

Tank disinfection – Adding disinfectants like chlorine to airplane water tanks and pipes.
Water flushing – Flushing out aircraft water systems after long periods of non-use.
Safety checks – Regular testing for bacteria levels and chemical contamination.

Point-of-use filters – Installation of water filters on lavatory taps and kitchen water lines.
Bottled water – Provision of bottled water for drinking.

However, precautions can vary significantly by airline. Some do not provide bottled water or use filters. Travelers should research an airline’s specific onboard water protocols before flying.

What are the health risks of drinking airplane tap water?

Potential health risks include:

Gastrointestinal illness – Contaminated water may contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and other symptoms.
Respiratory illness – Legionella and other waterborne germs can lead to pneumonia if mists or vapors are inhaled, e.g. from showering.

Chemical toxicity – Exposure to jet fuel, pesticides, or metals in water could potentially cause health effects depending on the level of contamination.

However, the overall chances of becoming sick from airplane tap water are low. Cases are likely underreported but remain relatively rare. Those with weakened immune systems and the elderly face higher risks though.

What do health agencies recommend regarding airplane tap water?

Most major health organizations recommend caution with drinking airplane tap water:

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) advises airline passengers to use bottled water when brushing teeth, drinking, or taking medications.
The WHO (World Health Organization) states that people with compromised immunity should ideally avoid airplane tap water.
Health Canada tells passengers to not drink airplane lavatory tap water and to limit exposure when washing hands or face.

These recommendations acknowledge that airplane tap water carries potential risks and that vulnerable populations should take particular care to avoid it when flying.

Tips for staying safe when flying

To minimize risks from airplane tap water, experts suggest:

Drink only bottled water purchased after security screening.

Avoid coffee, tea and other beverages made with onboard water.
Use hand sanitizer instead of lavatory taps when possible.
Never drink water directly from the lavatory tap.

Check online to see if your airline uses onboard water filters.
Inquire if crew can confirm tanks have been recently disinfected.
Avoid swallowing water when brushing teeth or showering.

Being proactive helps reduce, though not eliminate, risks from airplane tap water. Many experts feel the benefits of air travel still generally outweigh the small chances of getting sick from flying tap.

Should airlines be required to filter and disinfect water?

Many passengers and consumer advocates argue airlines should be mandated to install onboard water treatment and provide bottled water:

It would reassure travelers about water safety and quality.

Filtration and disinfection are feasible – regional airlines like Hawaiian Airlines already treat cabin water.
Other transportation sectors like cruises and trains are required to filter and clean water.
The traveling public deserves the same safeguards as ground-based water systems.

Opponents counter that the costs would be overly burdensome and any true risks remain unproven:

Retrofitting aircraft with filtration systems would be extremely expensive.
Higher costs would inevitably be passed to consumers through pricier tickets.

Current precautions are adequate given the very low probability of waterborne illness.
Stricter regulation should be backed by more definitive safety data and assessment of benefits versus expenses.

At present, airlines are not required to treat water beyond disinfection of tanks. But the calls for more rigorous quality standards continue.

Airline water filtration costs and requirements

To understand the debate around requiring enhanced water treatment, it helps to look at the projected costs and operational impacts:

Issue	Impact
Aircraft retrofitting	+$2-3 million per plane for new water tanks, filtration, disinfection
Recurrent costs	Higher maintenance, filter replacements, monitoring
Supply logistics	Need to stock bottled water, manage limited onboard storage space
Regulatory oversight	More FAA inspections, compliance paperwork
Higher fares	Estimates of +$2-5 per ticket to cover costs

Airlines argue these costly burdens should not be imposed without definitive proof of significant health hazards from current practices. But some financial impacts could be mitigated with gradual phase-in timeframes and focusing first on highest-risk planes.

Conclusion

Airplane tap water has the potential to harbor harmful contaminants, but current evidence suggests serious risks remain low. While not ironclad, airlines do implement some precautions to maintain water quality. Still, experts recommend certain groups like those with weakened immunity avoid airplane tap as a precaution.

More research on both water safety and the costs/feasibility of requiring filtration could help determine appropriate regulations. But in the meantime, proactive travelers can take simple steps to avoid airplane tap water and drink bottled water instead.