Aircraft Drinking Water Rule: 

A Quick Reference Guide

Overview of the Rule

Title Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) 74 FR 53590. October 19, 2009

Purpose To ensure that safe and reliable drinking water is provided to aircraft passengers and crew by 

amending and consolidating National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for aircraft public 

water systems (PWSs). 

General To protect against disease-causing microbiological contaminants through the required 

Description development and implementation of aircraft water system operations and maintenance plans. 

The plans include routine disinfection and flushing of the water system, air carrier training 

requirements for key personnel, and periodic sampling of the onboard drinking water, as well 

as self-inspections of each aircraft water system and immediate notification of passengers and 

crew when violations or specific situations occur.

Aircraft The ADWR applies only to aircraft with onboard water systems that provide water for 

Covered by human consumption through pipes and regularly serve an average of at least twenty-five 

the ADWR individuals daily, at least 60 days out of the year, and that board only finished water for human 

consumption. Human consumption includes water for drinking, hand washing, food preparation, 

and oral hygiene.

Components Aircraft water systems include the water service panel, the filler neck of the aircraft finished 

of an Aircraft water storage tank, and all finished water storage tanks, piping, treatment equipment, and 

Water plumbing fixtures within the aircraft that supply water to passengers or crew.

System

Major Provisions

Operations and Maintenance (O&M Plan)

Air carriers develop and implement an O&M plan for each aircraft water system in active service. More than 

one aircraft can be covered by the same O&M plan. The water system O&M plan must be included in a Federal 

Aviation Administration-accepted aircraft operations and maintenance program. If a new aircraft or PWS is 

added to an air carrier fleet, the aircraft is added to an existing O&M plan or a new O&M plan is developed. The 

O&M plan for the new aircraft is implemented by the end of the first calendar quarter during which the aircraft is 

placed into service. 

Each aircraft ► Watering point selection requirement – all water sources must be from a watering point 

water system selected in accordance with Food and Drug Administration regulations [21 CFR part 

O&M plan 1240 subpart E].

includes: ► Procedures for routinely disinfecting and flushing the aircraft water system in accordance 

with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

► Procedures for follow-up coliform sampling after a corrective disinfection and flushing 

event.

► Training requirements for all staff involved with the O&M provisions of the rule and those 

managing or conducting the coliform sampling requirements of the rule.

► Self-inspection procedures, procedures for boarding water, and the coliform sampling 

plan.

► A statement of whether the aircraft water system can be physically disconnected or shut 

off so that the flow of water through the tap(s) is prevented.

Coliform Sampling Plan

Air carriers develop a coliform sampling plan covering each aircraft owned or operated by the carrier. Sampling 

plans are developed for each new aircraft by the end of the calendar quarter in which the aircraft is placed in 

service.

At a minimum, all ► Coliform sample collection procedures. 

plans include the ► Sample tap location(s) representative of the aircraft water system, including both galley following: and lavatory taps.

► Frequency and number of routine coliform samples to be collected.

► Frequency of routine disinfection and flushing as specified in the operations and 

maintenance plan.

► Procedures for communicating sample results to ensure any required actions including 

repeat and follow-up sampling, corrective action, and notification of passengers and crew 

are conducted in a timely manner.

Routine Disinfection and Flushing

Air carriers routinely disinfect and flush aircraft PWSs at the frequency recommended by the water system 

manufacturer or, if not specified by the manufacturer, may choose from one of four options.
Coliform Sampling Requirements

All aircraft PWSs sample for total coliform bacteria according to the frequency and procedures described in 

the coliform sampling plan. The routine sampling frequency is based on the routine disinfection and flushing 

frequency—the more often an aircraft PWS disinfects, the less often it is required to monitor for coliform.

Routine coliform samples may be collected immediately prior to but not within 72 hours after a routine 

disinfection and flushing event. 

Each routine, repeat, or follow-up sample that is positive for total coliform is tested for the presence of E. coli. If 

any sample is positive for E. coli, public notification and corrective disinfection and flushing are triggered.

Air carriers select from specified options for follow-up and corrective measures when routine coliform samples 

indicate total coliform but E. coli contamination is not present. The options include collecting 3 repeat samples 

within 24 hours or disinfecting and flushing the system with follow-up sampling. 

► The disinfection and flushing procedure must be completed within 72 hours unless public access is 

restricted. 

► If any repeat sample is positive for coliform, public notification and corrective disinfection and flushing 

with follow-up sampling are triggered. 

Corrective Disinfection and Flushing

If corrective disinfection and flushing is opted or required, air carriers follow the procedures in their O&M plans. 

Unscheduled flight disruptions to perform corrective disinfection and flushing can be minimized by shutting 

off the water or preventing the flow of water to the taps. Before allowing unrestricted access to the aircraft 

water system, a complete set of two follow-up samples must be collected and submitted for analysis after the 

disinfection and flushing event if triggered by a total coliform-positive sample, and must be reported as total 

coliform-negative if triggered by an E. coli-positive sample.

Self-Inspection

Each aircraft PWS must be inspected by the air carrier at least every 5 years according to the procedures in their 

O&M plans. At a minimum, the self-inspection procedures for an aircraft water system must include inspection 

of the storage tank, distribution system, supplemental treatment, fixtures, valves, and backflow prevention 

devices. Any deficiencies detected must be addressed, and any deficiency that is unresolved within 90 days of 

identification of the deficiency must be reported to EPA.

Public Notification

Notification of passengers and crew onboard the aircraft is required when:

► Any sample results are total coliform-positive or E. coli-positive.

► An air carrier fails to perform required routine disinfection and flushing.

► An air carrier fails to collect required samples.

► An air carrier boards water from a watering point that does not meet FDA regulations, EPA standards, 

or is otherwise determined to be unsafe.

► EPA, the air carrier, or crew determines public notification is necessary to protect public health.

For E. coli-positive events or when EPA, the air carrier, or crew determines public notification is necessary, notice 

must be issued within 24 hours. For all other situations, notice must be issued within 72 hours. 

► Notice to passengers need not be provided if the water is shut off, if flow of water to taps is prevented, 

or if water is supplied only to the lavatory toilets and not the lavatory or galley taps.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

Air carriers submit compliance information to EPA including sampling results; all events requiring public 

notification and corrective disinfection and flushing; notification of failure to comply with monitoring or disinfection 

and flushing requirements; and evidence of self-inspection, along with a report of unresolved deficiencies. Most 

reporting will be done electronically to the ADWR Reporting and Compliance System, a database developed and 

supported by EPA. 

Records of coliform sampling, disinfection and flushing, self-inspections, and public notices are kept by the air 

carrier. Sampling plans and O&M plans are maintained and made available for EPA review.

Key Dates

Within 18 ► 

months of the ► 

final rule 

April 19, 2011 ► 

► 

24 months after ► 

the final rule 

October 19, 2011

Develop a coliform sampling plan and report to EPA that it has been completed.

Develop O&M plans that cover every aircraft PWS and report to EPA that they have been 

completed.

Report the coliform sampling and disinfection and flushing frequencies to EPA for each 

aircraft.

Report the complete air carrier inventory of aircraft that are PWSs to EPA.

The compliance date for all other rule requirements applies, unless otherwise noted.

For additional information 

on the ADWR

Call the Safe Drinking 

Water Hotline at 1-800-

426-4791; visit the EPA 

web site at http://www.epa.

gov/drink; or contact your 

EPA Regional Office. 

Office of Water (4606M) http://www.epa.gov/drink EPA-816-F-10-077 October 2010