### The Murky Truth: Why You Should Think Twice Before Drinking Water on a Plane

When the flight attendant comes down the aisle offering beverages, a simple glass of water or a hot cup of coffee seems like a safe, hydrating choice. However, studies and insider reports have repeatedly raised concerns about the quality of the very water used for these drinks. The unsettling truth is that the quality of potable water can vary dramatically from one airline to another, and what’s flowing from the galley tap might not be as clean as you’d hope.

#### Where Does The Water Come From?

The water on an aircraft isn’t just magically there; it’s pumped into the plane’s holding tanks from water service carts on the ground at the airport. This process presents several opportunities for contamination. The cleanliness of the cart, the hose, and the port on the aircraft all play a crucial role. Once inside the plane, the water is stored in tanks that, according to regulations, are supposed to be regularly disinfected and flushed. However, the frequency and effectiveness of this maintenance can differ.

#### The Sobering Evidence

One of the most comprehensive investigations into this issue was the “Airline Water Study” conducted by the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center and DietDetective.com. The study ranked major airlines based on a “Water Health Score,” from 5 (best) to 0 (worst), analyzing the quality of their onboard water.

The results were alarming. The study found that many airlines were potentially serving water from systems that tested positive for harmful bacteria like coliform and E. coli. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) in place to ensure safe drinking water on planes, the study suggested that the regulations may be too lenient and that airlines were not always in compliance.

Several major carriers received very poor scores, indicating a higher risk of serving unhealthy water. The report highlighted that the water was not only used for drinking but also for making coffee and tea.

#### The Coffee and Tea Problem

Many travelers assume that the high temperature used to brew coffee or tea would kill any potential pathogens. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. The water heated in an airplane’s coffee maker rarely reaches a full, sustained boil. The temperature is typically hot enough to brew the beverage but may not be sufficient to eliminate resilient bacteria like E. coli, posing a potential health risk.

Flight attendants have often been the whistleblowers on this issue. In numerous online forums and interviews, airline crew members have admitted that they personally avoid drinking the tap water, coffee, or tea onboard. Their advice is almost unanimous: stick to sealed, bottled beverages.

#### How to Stay Safe and Hydrated in the Air

Being aware of the issue is the first step. For travelers looking to minimize their risk, here are a few simple and effective strategies:

* **Always Choose Bottled Water:** When offered a drink, specifically ask for sealed bottled water. It’s the only way to be certain of the source and purity.
* **Say No to Ice:** Ice is often made from the same onboard tap water. It’s best to politely decline ice in your drink.
* **Rethink Hot Beverages:** Considering the water source, you may want to skip the in-flight coffee and tea. If you need a caffeine fix, grab one in the terminal before you board.
* **Bring Your Own:** The best solution is to bring an empty, reusable water bottle through security and fill it up at a water fountain or filling station in the airport terminal.
* **Use Tap Water for Handwashing Only:** The water from the lavatory tap is fine for washing your hands, but it’s a good idea to follow up with hand sanitizer, especially before eating.

Flying is a modern marvel, but the systems that support it are complex and not always perfect. When it comes to your health at 30,000 feet, being a cautious consumer is your best bet. Until regulations are tightened and consistently enforced, the safest drink in the sky will continue to come with a cap on it.