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Water: Aircraft Drinking Water Rule

Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR)

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The primary purpose of the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) is to ensure that safe and reliable drinking water is provided to aircraft passengers and crew. This entails providing air carriers with a feasible way to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the national primary drinking water regulations (NPDWRs). The existing regulations were designed primarily with traditional, stationary public water systems in mind. Some of these requirements have proven difficult to implement when applied to aircraft water systems, which are operationally very different.  Therefore, using a collaborative rulemaking process, EPA developed the ADWR that is tailored to aircraft public water systems. The final rule combines coliform sampling, best management practices, corrective action, public notification, operator training, and reporting and recordkeeping to improve public health protection.

The ADWR was promulgated on October 19, 2009.

For additional supporting information related to this rule-making, including the Response to Comment document,
visit docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2005-0025 at Regulations.gov.

Press Release

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Rulemaking History

In the United States, drinking water safety on airlines is jointly regulated by the EPA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). EPA regulates water quality in public water systems in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). EPA  regulates the public water systems that supply water to the airports and the drinking water once it is onboard the aircraft. The regulatory structure for all public water systems, including aircraft, relies upon self-monitoring and reporting of results to the primacy (primary enforcement) agency. The primacy agency for aircraft public water systems is EPA.

In 2004, EPA found all aircraft PWSs to be out of compliance with the national primary drinking water regulations (NPDWRs). According to the air carriers, it is not feasible for them to comply with all of the monitoring that is required in the existing regulations.  The existing NPDWRs were designed for traditional, stationary public water systems, not mobile aircraft water systems that are operationally very different. 

  • For example, aircraft must maintain rigorous operating schedules.
  • They fly to multiple destinations throughout the course of any given day and may board drinking water from sources at any of these destinations.
  • Aircraft board water from airport watering points via temporary connections.
  • Aircraft drinking water safety depends on a number of factors including:
      • the quality of the water that is boarded from these multiple sources,
      • the care used to board the water, and
      • the operation and maintenance of the onboard water system and the water transfer equipment (such as water cabinets, trucks, carts, and hoses).

These unique operational characteristics present different challenges, which EPA addressed in the final ADWR.

Proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (April 9, 2008)

In developing the Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR), EPA used a collaborative process to obtain a broad range of views including the airlines, flight attendants, passengers, pilots, airports, laboratories, public health officials and environmental organizations.

Workshop Summary: Development of Regulations for Aircraft Public Water Systems, March 28 & 29, 2007, Arlington, VA

EPA held a second workshop on the development of regulations for aircraft public water systems. This workshop was well attended by about 90 interested stakeholders. It provided an opportunity for interested stakeholders to ask questions, offer suggestions, and comment on the pros and cons of different approaches for the development of a proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule.

Workshop Summary: Initial Scoping Workshop for Development of an Aircraft Drinking Water Rule, January 18 & 19, 2006, Washington, DC

EPA held an initial scoping workshop on the development of regulations for aircraft public water systems, in Washington, DC. The workshop was well attended by more than 70 stakeholders representing a broad range of interests (airlines, flight attendants, passengers, pilots, airports, laboratories, public health and environmental).

Summary Report: Aircraft Drinking Water Systems Public Meeting, June 1, 2005, Washington, DC

EPA held a public meeting, on June 1, 2005, in Washington, DC, to officially kickoff the collaborative rulemaking effort. The meeting was well attended by more than 50 stakeholders representing a broad range of views including the airlines, flight attendants, passengers, pilots, airports, laboratories, public health and the environment.

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Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Requirements

The FDA has jurisdiction over culinary water (i.e., water used in food preparation including coffee, tea and ice) and the points where aircraft obtain water (e.g., pipes or tankers) at the airport.

The FAA oversees operation and maintenance programs covering all parts of the aircraft, including the potable water system.

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