Originally Posted by
jennifer2456
If I had to fly US Airways and ran out of water during the flight, I could just fill up from water in the bathroom and not pay the fee. (I know water from airplane tanks isn't really safe, but my filtered water bottle eliminates contaminants).
I strongly, strongly recommend that you not drink any water from airplane lavatories, or use it for brushing teeth. In fact, I carry a small bottle of Purell with me and use it every time after washing my hands in an airplane lav.
These reports from 2005 show elevated levels of E. coli bacteria in airplane water tanks:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...aft_water.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in667690.shtml
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2...5-01-19-02.asp
I won't drink water served on the plane unless I personally witness the flight attendant breaking the seal on the bottle. (Some FAs have been known to refill Evian/Dannon water bottles in the lavatory sink when they run out of the real stuff.)
If I am not able to see the FA open a new bottle in front of me (or while standing at the serving cart in the aisle), I stick to club soda.
I've spent enough time living in the developing world to know how to take precautions, and I know (from experience) how miserable it is to be violently sick while traveling. It's just not worth the risk, IMHO.