Gulp. Don't drink the tap water. "If the tanks are not properly cleaned, it can lead to the perfect environment for pathogens to grow and lead to gastroenteritis, warns Dr. Tatiana Echeverry, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and labfinder.com contributor. "The most common pathogens in water are E. coli, Campylobacter, norovirus and parasites, such as Giardia."If you're a TikToker, you may have seen a video from influencer and former flight attendant Kat Kamalani go viral in 2021. In it, she notes that the pipes on planes are never, ever cleaned. But one doctor and water safety expert reports that this isn't entirely true.
Unfortunately, experts still advise against drinking from it—and the reasons are rooted in science. A 2019 study evaluated the water quality in 11 major and 12 regional airlines. Each received a score on a scale of 0 (worst) to 5 (best). Anything above a score of 3 was considered "relatively safe." Scientists weighed factors like fleet size and sample reports that came back positive for E. coli and coliform.Seven of the 10 major airlines had scores under three—ditto for all but one of the regional airlines. The authors advised against drinking water that isn't sealed in a bottle. That wasn't all, though. The researchers even suggested using hand sanitizer rather than washing hands with tap water."Bathroom sinks and their surroundings can become reservoirs for E. coli," Dr. Echeverry says. "Slow drainage or splashing can contaminate sinks if someone is infected with E. coli, which can lead to cross-contamination of surfaces and clothes, increasing the transmission of pathogens."Related: Wait—What Happens If You Eat Expired Food?
Why Doctors Suggest Taking Water Safety Seriously When Flying
Unfortunately, you can't tell if bacteria, like a strain of E. coli, is lurking in your airline's water. Dr. Chatterjee adds that certain travelers are at an increased risk of illness after sipping or washing their hands with contaminated water. These flyers include:
InfantsYoung childrenPregnant peopleThose with a weakened immune system (such as from HIV or chemotherapy)ElderlyDr. Chatterjee suggests speaking with your healthcare team if you're traveling with (or are) at a higher risk for serious illness from food or water contamination. They can often prescribe medications that you can take on board. Otherwise, OTC medications frequently help—especially on shorter flights—but Dr. Chatterjee still suggests contacting a doctor once you reach your destination to ensure you're OK.
Experts agree with TikTok and scientists: It's best to avoid using tap water on planes for drinking. "Drinking beverages that have been bottled or sealed or that are served hot has less risk of infection," Dr. Sirois says.Washing your hands is also important. "Maintaining hand hygiene is the most important factor to lower the risk of E. coli contaminated food," Dr. Echeverry explains.
Now, about those costly headphones...
Related: 11 Foods You Should Never Eat Past Their Expiration Date
Sources:
Dr. Saurabh Chatterjee, Ph.D., a professor of environmental & occupational health at the UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health.Dr. Tatiana Echeverry, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to labfinder.comDr. Evans Sirois, DO., an internist and co-founder of N-2 WaterAircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR). EPA. Airline Water: Which Airline’s Water Is Safest?. Hunter College. Read More Details
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