WASHINGTON -- The of the present d...

WASHINGTON -- The of the present day rule banning U.S. air travelers from bringing aboard bottl water leaves it to airlines to suppress passengers' thirst. Unfortunately, many may not be up to the task.

About 15 percent of tap water from domestic and foreign airlines in 2004 was set up unfit to drink, containing organisms of that kind as E. coli, a bacteria that can cause diarrhea, the U Environmental Protection Agency said.

"It's something we have to anticipate at urgently," EPA spokesman Dale Kemery said Thursday.

While greatest in quantity airlines serve bottled drinking water, scarcely any carry enough for the entire flight because of weight and space limits. When supplies move out, flight attendants turn to the tap.

"We fill pitchers with ice and tap water. We make lemonade from it," said Hettie Collins, a United Airlines flight attendant with 29 years' experience. She said the water has not at any time made her ill.

U authorities imposed an indefinite ban forward carry-on bottles of water and other liquids and gel after Britain's foiled terror plot

CABINS DRIER THAN A uninhabited

"If they make the ban permanent, I can papal court a little frustration," said Kelli Hawthorne, a consultant who travels.

The air in greatest in quantity plane cabins is drier than the Sahara waste with humidity levels at 10 percent or les causing fliers to become dehydrated.

Travelers, of course, can always change the direction of to soda or juice.

"We have always provisioned our aircraft as if there are no passengers bringing their have drinks, so the impact is not same great," said Tim Wagner, a spokesman for American Airlines.

"However, after evaluating today, caterers will board additional water and soda upon all flights to and from the United States."

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided by means of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved