Potable Water - Is It OK To Drink?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Under the sea
Potable Water - Is It OK To Drink?
Despite the placards that say not to drink it apparently that is all some companies provide for flight crews and passengers. Bottled water has been removed to save money. Are there any references or documents that would argue against drinking the potable supply?
Cunning Artificer
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
'Potable' means drinkable.
The real question is whether the water they put in the potable system meets the definition or not. We sterilise ours and do the regular hyperchlorination as per the Maintenance Schedule, but personally, I would rather not drink it... I've seen the insode of the tank...
The real question is whether the water they put in the potable system meets the definition or not. We sterilise ours and do the regular hyperchlorination as per the Maintenance Schedule, but personally, I would rather not drink it... I've seen the insode of the tank...
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From: Middlesesx
Chris I understand what you say but surely the water machines on 747's are supplied from the potable water anyway. There is no other water put onto the aircraft. As it is sterillised I assume that it may well be better quality than some countries tap water.
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Netherlands
To Drink or not??????????????
Potable water starts its life as the normal tap water in most countries, but, it is a question of how long it sits in a water truck before being dispensed to an aircraft. Then how often are the water tanks drained and refilled, daily??? I doubt it very much.
Like Blacksheep, I have seen inside, and had to clean out a/c water tanks during 'C' & 'D'checks. Even with regular hyperchlorination there is still a layer of gunge to be removed.
Also, remember, the water is not boiled in the coffee makers, (hence the often rubbish tea), so you will not be 100% safe from that source. If you want to go down that route, hope for a 'hot cup' on board. Better still, take your own bottle of water, where still allowed.
Like Blacksheep, I have seen inside, and had to clean out a/c water tanks during 'C' & 'D'checks. Even with regular hyperchlorination there is still a layer of gunge to be removed.
Also, remember, the water is not boiled in the coffee makers, (hence the often rubbish tea), so you will not be 100% safe from that source. If you want to go down that route, hope for a 'hot cup' on board. Better still, take your own bottle of water, where still allowed.
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: London
I had seen a flight attend on a NWA flight use "potable water" to mix with an orange juice consentrate to serve to the passengers. I asked him if he actually new that the potable water isn't actually potable and he said the pax wont know the difference.
Ever since then, I will never take a cold drink on a flight unless I see it poured from the original container.
ick
Ever since then, I will never take a cold drink on a flight unless I see it poured from the original container.
ick
Cunning Artificer
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
I assume that it may well be better quality than some countries tap water.
Black goo. Mmm tasty and good for you too.
Note:Water boilers on aircraft in flight don't reach 100 degrees.
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From: OZ
I too was an abstainer from aircraft potable water for I had seen the inside of the water tanks on a heavy maint visit but then I witnessed whats inside the pipes in the few countries I have lived where I drank the tap water...
The same old sludge or green growth.
Where i work the tanks have a chlorination treatment more than regularly almost adnausium.
With the water that is uploaded is usually filtered and/or chlorinated, I am starting to think the water from a fountain on board is better than what flows from a tap in say SYD,LHR, LAX or SIN....These cities may not be great examples of good drinking water but I wouldn't hesitate to drink the tap water...
80 Degrees C is whats required to kill almost all water born disease and the water boilers certainly are above that.
The same old sludge or green growth.
Where i work the tanks have a chlorination treatment more than regularly almost adnausium.
With the water that is uploaded is usually filtered and/or chlorinated, I am starting to think the water from a fountain on board is better than what flows from a tap in say SYD,LHR, LAX or SIN....These cities may not be great examples of good drinking water but I wouldn't hesitate to drink the tap water...
80 Degrees C is whats required to kill almost all water born disease and the water boilers certainly are above that.
Last edited by Bolty McBolt; 4th November 2006 at 05:04. Reason: typos and spelling
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From: OVER THE RAINBOW
as mentioned, don't even think about drink the so called potable water on an aircraft
In third world countries also ensure you break the seal on your water bottle (or you see the persons break the seal) Thrust me, I have seen the "recycling" that goes on.
Worse case of food posioning I ever got (and I travel a lot) was Business class lounge in New Delhi. I believe it must have been free orange juice they must have added local water to. One week of local vegetarian food, only drink beer from cans etc etc no delhi belly and then India gets me just as I leave
been back a few times since and no probs.
In third world countries also ensure you break the seal on your water bottle (or you see the persons break the seal) Thrust me, I have seen the "recycling" that goes on.
Worse case of food posioning I ever got (and I travel a lot) was Business class lounge in New Delhi. I believe it must have been free orange juice they must have added local water to. One week of local vegetarian food, only drink beer from cans etc etc no delhi belly and then India gets me just as I leave
been back a few times since and no probs.
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From: 2 m South of Radstock VRP
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: SEA
I design potable water systems and would never drink out of one ever.
You may not get sick, but you might. It is like spinning the prize wheel.
Tod
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From: here.....there.......
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Oz
What system are you reffering to though? Potable water and toilet tank rinse supply having absolutely nothing in common, surely, or am I missing your point?! Toilet anti-siphon valve at toilet tank pervents unlikely event back siphonage of toilet charge water out of tank to stop chances of 'blue-ice' if toilet charge cap fails. Potable water system has nothing to do with toilet tank system.
If the lavitories are vaccum type with remote storage tanks, then yes the initial "squirt" of water before the waste is sucked away is potable water. As sys4 noted, it is an antisiphon valve in the system at the crapper that prevents cross contamination. Stick to beer and whisky if you feel you must rehydrate.