Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) and Case Studies of Water Quality Events

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Jemimah May
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1 Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) and Case Studies of Water Quality Events Allison Watanabe, US EPA April 15, 2014 Airports Council International (ACI) Environmental Affairs Committee Conference U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

2 Today s Presentation Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) Case Studies of Water Quality Events Overview Stakeholder perspectives on communication Recommendations EPA Activities

3 Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR)

4 ADWR Overview Purpose of ADWR: Ensure a safe and reliable supply of drinking water is provided to aircraft passengers and crew. Provide a way for air carriers to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs). October 19, Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) published October 19, Air carriers must comply with all requirements including conducting and reporting routine disinfection and flushing and routine sampling

5 ADWR Overview Aircraft Public Water System: Provide water for human consumption Human consumption includes drinking, bathing, showering, hand washing, teeth brushing, food preparation, dishwashing Serve an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year Applies only to aircraft flying to two or more destinations within the US. ADWR contaminants of concern: Total Coliforms E. Coli

6 General ADWR Requirements Board finished water from safe watering points. Finished water is water that is intended for distribution and consumption and does not need any further treatment. Watering points are regulated by FDA. Develop and implement operations and maintenance plans and coliform sampling plans. Conduct routine disinfection and flushing and coliform sampling. Perform corrective action when necessary. Provide public notice as required by situation. Complete a self-inspection of the aircraft water system every 5 years.

7 ADWR Boarding Water Issues Failure to board water from a safe watering CFR E. coli positive events - within 24 hours Non-E. coli positive events - within 72 hours Corrective Actions: Restrict Public Access Shut off access to the water (if possible) and provide public notice Provide alternatives such as bottled water or antiseptic wipes Disinfect and flush the water system Conduct follow-up sampling

8 Water Quality Event Case Studies

9 Water Quality Event Case Studies Overview Public Water Systems Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Boston Water and Sewer Commission Dallas / Fort Worth Airport Water System Missouri American Water Joplin Airports Logan International Airport (Boston, MA) Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport (Dallas, TX) Joplin Regional Airport (Joplin, MO) *No representatives from Joplin Regional Airport Air Carriers American Airlines American Eagle Delta Airlines Southwest Airlines Water Quality Events: Occurred at different points on the water supply chain. Required a Tier 1 Public Notification response.

10 Water Quality Event Case Studies Logan International Airport

11 Water Quality Event Case Studies Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

12 Water Quality Event Case Studies Joplin Regional Airport

13 Water Quality Event Case Studies Airport Communications Airport communication practices vary. Logan International Airport - Direct communication with airline station managers through phone calls. Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport - Communicate with air carrier staff, concession staff, ground service providers, and others through , an autodial system, text alerts and the airport s website. Source and completeness of information affects air carrier operational decisions.

14 Water Quality Event Case Studies Air Carrier Recommendations Specific information about water quality events is needed date, time, contaminant. Immediate notification from airports when a water quality advisory is issued or lifted. Notification to air carrier corporate environmental departments in addition to station managers. Information about which PWSs serve the airport and whether certain water supplies serve separate airport terminals. Continue refining emergency contact lists and internal protocols, including being included on PWS emergency contact lists.

15 Water Quality Event Case Studies Airport Recommendations Airports should implement emergency plans, including: How to obtain aircraft drinking water from a safe source temporarily. Updating airport emergency contact lists (including the air carrier station managers) regularly. A list of public water system (utility) emergency contacts.

16 Water Quality Events Case Studies Recommendations All three stakeholder groups should ensure that standard operating procedures (SOPs) for water quality events are in place, up-to-date and that appropriate personnel are familiar with these SOPs. Air carriers and airports are encouraged to understand each other s emergency procedures in order to ensure effective communication during a water quality event. Air carriers and airports are encouraged to plan communications options with public water systems (utilities) serving airports prior to the onset of a water quality event.

17 EPA Activities EPA plans to finalize the Water Quality Event Case Studies report in spring- early summer EPA is developing a list of PWSs serving airports (airports with more than 10,000 passenger boardings per year) in spring EPA will continue engaging with air carriers, airports and PWSs to distribute information about communication during water quality events.

Guidelines for Issuing a Boil Water Notice. Prepared by the Bureau of Public Water Supply Mississippi State Department of Health

Guidelines for Issuing a Boil Water Notice Prepared by the Bureau of Public Water Supply Mississippi State Department of Health Revised March 17, 2014 When a water system is placed on a boil water alert