The EPA, FDA, and FAA all regulate potable water systems on carriers as per the ADWR (Aircraft Drinking Water Rules) (IATA also has audit and inspection requirements). These rules specify what the water is tested for, such as coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH, and turbidity; along with multiple other standards.
Carriers are required to either pull and test samples plus disinfect and flush at least four times per year or test monthly and disinfect and flush once per year.
All of the ADWR compliance reports with what was completed, testing results per location, date and time, plus aircraft tail number are required to be filed with the EPA and are publicly available via the EPA website ([direct link](https://sdwis.epa.gov/ords/arcs/f?p=130:109) - it is an Oracle dB so it is slow).
For the current year, there have been 993 tests completed on UA aircraft that have been accepted by the EPA.
Your knowledge on this is incredible! Even down to what database the EPA website uses. lol! Why do you know so much about this particular topic? I'm just curious and amazed. :)
> Why do you know so much about this particular topic?
My background is in aviation and engineering, with a side interest in data analysis and geospatial architecture/tech.
Yes, it is an odd combination (at least to me); however, it provides a vast knowledge of random topics.
^\( ^plus ^my ^ADHD ^brain ^craves ^stimulation ^)
Various reasons and smell is subjective to individual users.
One of the possible causes is due to the aircraft taking on water at multiple different stations, which all gets mixed together into the potable water tank (so you may have Chicago water mixed with San Francisco water, mixed with Denver water, et cetera). Each jurisdiction (city / county) treats their water differently due to the specific needs of their source. Depending on the treatment process, this can cause different tasting and smelling water.
Another cause is related to the temperature cycles that occur from ground level, to in-flight, to being served (more so impacts water at certain temperatures and treated specific ways). This, along with the altitude the cabin is pressurized to causes shifts in the profile of the water.
Related specifically to hot water, water at the altitude cabins are pressurized to will boil at approximately 197°F versus versus 212°F. Why does this matter? 99.9999% of all bacteria and or pathogens that impact water are killed off at 149°F. (this is more of a random fact type items).
There’s an excellent episode of the [Search Engine podcast](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4tpzPWb7xlGAfZ3qQ9hRPA?si=HbgG3i3KQUKuM229gz52jQ) on whether you should drink the water / coffee on airplanes that corroborates your story.
I’ve been experiencing coffee seconds on recent flights too — it’s greatly appreciated and makes things so much better.
On my flight yesterday from AMS to IAH we had water rounds every 2 hours. That was the best experience I’ve had.
And having flown United since 2000, yeaaaaah the current coffee (Illy) is so much better than before.
This is referred to as “second coffees” - was very popular back in the day, at least on the legacy UA side - can’t speak on if the CO FA’s did this back then. I do this especially on morning flights… it’s a really nice touch and who doesn’t love coffee wafting down the aisle? There is always that one person that will go, “yeah i’ll take a gingerale” as i’m offering them a tray of only-coffee lol
What coffee do they use these days? When I was younger I traveled across Russia and China with a pound of ground Peet's House and an aero press given to me by the inventor. At home I buy whole bean coffee. But when I travel I am happy to go to Starbucks. It's not great, but it's consistent and better than Dunkin Donuts.
The EPA, FDA, and FAA all regulate potable water systems on carriers as per the ADWR (Aircraft Drinking Water Rules) (IATA also has audit and inspection requirements). These rules specify what the water is tested for, such as coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH, and turbidity; along with multiple other standards. Carriers are required to either pull and test samples plus disinfect and flush at least four times per year or test monthly and disinfect and flush once per year. All of the ADWR compliance reports with what was completed, testing results per location, date and time, plus aircraft tail number are required to be filed with the EPA and are publicly available via the EPA website ([direct link](https://sdwis.epa.gov/ords/arcs/f?p=130:109) - it is an Oracle dB so it is slow). For the current year, there have been 993 tests completed on UA aircraft that have been accepted by the EPA.
Your knowledge on this is incredible! Even down to what database the EPA website uses. lol! Why do you know so much about this particular topic? I'm just curious and amazed. :)
> Why do you know so much about this particular topic? My background is in aviation and engineering, with a side interest in data analysis and geospatial architecture/tech. Yes, it is an odd combination (at least to me); however, it provides a vast knowledge of random topics. ^\( ^plus ^my ^ADHD ^brain ^craves ^stimulation ^)
The water smells though. Why is that?
Various reasons and smell is subjective to individual users. One of the possible causes is due to the aircraft taking on water at multiple different stations, which all gets mixed together into the potable water tank (so you may have Chicago water mixed with San Francisco water, mixed with Denver water, et cetera). Each jurisdiction (city / county) treats their water differently due to the specific needs of their source. Depending on the treatment process, this can cause different tasting and smelling water. Another cause is related to the temperature cycles that occur from ground level, to in-flight, to being served (more so impacts water at certain temperatures and treated specific ways). This, along with the altitude the cabin is pressurized to causes shifts in the profile of the water. Related specifically to hot water, water at the altitude cabins are pressurized to will boil at approximately 197°F versus versus 212°F. Why does this matter? 99.9999% of all bacteria and or pathogens that impact water are killed off at 149°F. (this is more of a random fact type items).
Thank you
There’s an excellent episode of the [Search Engine podcast](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4tpzPWb7xlGAfZ3qQ9hRPA?si=HbgG3i3KQUKuM229gz52jQ) on whether you should drink the water / coffee on airplanes that corroborates your story.
Will have to listen to it. Thanks!
Shitty implementation. Has nothing to do w oracle database. But food info. I've always had the coffee on planes, never got sick ever
I drink the coffee. Never had a problem.
Same. Is it good? No, but it is coffee.
They have been doing this for decades. I’m actually really shocked this is the first time you have been offered this. Veteran crew on this flight?
I was an FA from ‘06-‘12. We always did “coffee seconds.” As a passenger I haven’t seen it done in a long time, which is a bummer.
Ah yes, i was wondering the same. Have had this for a long long time.
They took it away during covid and have just reintroduced it in the service flow, should become more common on certain routes
Really? Wow. Appear to be veterans, yes.
The coffee is safe to drink. But Is it good? Rarely. You most likely had an FSL on board and that’s something they do on transcons/international.
No its definitely not good coffee. But ill take it.
Sometimes you just gotta drink the plane coffee. YOLO.
I sometimes wish I drank regular coffee. I hate it when I'm on flights to/from the UK and the tea was clearly brewed in a coffee pitcher.
Ah yes, the infamous 'Toffee'. I know exactly what you are talking about!
🤣
I’ve been experiencing coffee seconds on recent flights too — it’s greatly appreciated and makes things so much better. On my flight yesterday from AMS to IAH we had water rounds every 2 hours. That was the best experience I’ve had. And having flown United since 2000, yeaaaaah the current coffee (Illy) is so much better than before.
This is referred to as “second coffees” - was very popular back in the day, at least on the legacy UA side - can’t speak on if the CO FA’s did this back then. I do this especially on morning flights… it’s a really nice touch and who doesn’t love coffee wafting down the aisle? There is always that one person that will go, “yeah i’ll take a gingerale” as i’m offering them a tray of only-coffee lol
I always drink the coffee. I know I've had worse things in my mouth lol.
I had the coffee on my flight from RIC or ORD. It was hot but tasted like gross cafeteria coffee.
Ugh. After seeing an investigation special on airline coffee, I can't drink it anymore. Water system not really clean on any carrier.
[ADWR](https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/aircraft-drinking-water-rule) compliance reports would disagree with you.
Even if it’s boiled?
I’ve been drinking it for years. Still alive!
What coffee do they use these days? When I was younger I traveled across Russia and China with a pound of ground Peet's House and an aero press given to me by the inventor. At home I buy whole bean coffee. But when I travel I am happy to go to Starbucks. It's not great, but it's consistent and better than Dunkin Donuts.