I had a quick read of the links posted above but I'm still not sure exactly what the problem is with airplane water. Would it be fair to say that the water from taps on a plane is as good as the water at the destinations it visits? That is, if a plane only ever did round trips between LAX and NYC then I'd be fine drinking the water? The water isn't just pumped out of the nearest lake?
Apparently it is known, at least to former Pan Am crew as "Galley Springs". Be wary when flying in the US if the water is dispensed from a pitcher rather than a bottle, but I know that some crew have been known to refill the bottles from the on-board supply.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marble
Would it be fair to say that the water from taps on a plane is as good as the water at the destinations it visits? That is, if a plane only ever did round trips between LAX and NYC then I'd be fine drinking the water?
Planes don't fly closed loops such as just back and forth between LAX and NYC so it's a bit of a non-starter, but even if they did, the problem is not necessarily with the immediate source of the water, but the holding tanks on the planes. If bacteria gets into the tanks, it can be difficult to clean them. The bacteria can then build up and contaminate the water that's introduced to the tanks.
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Many airplanes have a placard in the lav indicating that the water is not potable. Even if the source of the water is safe, in order to inhibit bacterial and algal growth, they treat the holding tanks with chemicals that are not good for you.
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Don't do it. Studies have shown that airline faucet water contains more bacteria than public toilet water. Of course, if drinking from toilets doesn't bother you, then go ahead & enjoy!
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I always use the sink water to rinse out my mouth after brushing my teeth on the plane (I am fairly fanatical about brushing after every meal). No issues, ever.
I also think all that stupid hand sanitizer everywhere is the biggest scam of the 21st century.
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I just ask the FA for a can of soda water. I like rinsing with something fizzy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelmad478
I always use the sink water to rinse out my mouth after brushing my teeth on the plane (I am fairly fanatical about brushing after every meal). No issues, ever.
All the sea monkeys living in the tanks must have strengthened your immune system.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marble
I had a quick read of the links posted above but I'm still not sure exactly what the problem is with airplane water. Would it be fair to say that the water from taps on a plane is as good as the water at the destinations it visits? That is, if a plane only ever did round trips between LAX and NYC then I'd be fine drinking the water? The water isn't just pumped out of the nearest lake?
Eurgh. The tanks are rarely if ever fully emptied. The dregs become brackish. The temperature rises and falls, making the tanks breeding grounds for microbial pests. Source water comes from any number of stations -- and consider the delivery system; tanks or casks mounted on airport vehicles, probably no cleaner, maybe worse.
I'd never drink that stuff, and I never accept water from open pitchers because I have seen FAs refill them from lav taps.
Bottom line: if you get on a plane and find encrusted bodily fluids on the seat fabrics, snot smeared on the cabin walls, rotten food and discarded nose-blowing tissues in the seat pockets, remnants of baby feces from in-seat diaper changing, etc., etc., and that's the visible filth they're ignoring... imagine how much care they take to keep the (invisible) water tanks shipshape. Yuck.
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Don't do it. Studies have shown that airline faucet water contains more bacteria than public toilet water. Of course, if drinking from toilets doesn't bother you, then go ahead & enjoy!
