Drinking water on planes tested

IS airline water safe to drink?

Routine testing of airplane water is required for 24 domestic airlines that signed agreements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in mid-October. The other U.S. carriers are expected to sign agreements by the end of this month, says Laurie Dubriel, an EPA attorney.

Drinking water now must be tested every 12 months, says Katherine Andrus, assistant general counsel for the Air Transport Assn., an industry trade group representing major U.S. airlines.

“We have always disinfected the water systems,” she says of member carriers. “What this [new regulation] means is we will be collecting samples of water, which we believe will demonstrate there is no problem with drinking water on aircraft,” she said.

The new regulations follow a 2004 EPA investigation in which the agency found that 15% of the 327 aircraft samples were positive for total coliform bacteria, which, in itself, is not a health risk but indicates that other organisms capable of causing disease may be present.

Under the new agreement, “If they have positive coliform, they have to either turn off the water service or provide notification if they are still going to use that water,” Dubriel says. That means passengers will see a placard by water sources or receive a card when they are served water notifying them of bacteria.

The new regulations covering airplane drinking water are “a work in progress,” Dubriel says. “The [EPA] office of water is developing specific rules for airline drinking water.” Visit the EPA site at www.epa.gov/airlinewater.

-- Kathleen Doheny

Vegas doubles up on the Strip

VISITORS to the Las Vegas Strip will see a sight more suited to London than the gambling mecca -- double-decker buses.

The Deuce, which the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada launched Thursday, will take riders on a 17 1/4 -mile loop from the South Strip Transfer Terminal to the north end. It will run every seven minutes. A ride on the 97-passenger buses will cost $2; a day pass is $5.

Transportation officials expect the Deuce will carry 37,000 people or more, and, along with the monorail that runs along the Strip’s east side, they hope it will alleviate traffic congestion along the Strip “in a fun way,” said Ingrid Reisman, a spokeswoman for the transportation commission.

Mt. Ranier inn closes for retrofit

THE Paradise Inn in Washington’s Mt. Rainier National Park is closing until 2008 for a multimillion-dollar earthquake retrofit and makeover.

The National Park Service also is building a new visitors center in the inn’s parking lot to eventually replace the nearby Henry M. Jackson center.

The inn, built in 1916 from silver fir and local rock, will retain its massive timbers and stone fireplaces. The project is expected to cost $10 million to $15 million and will include a new foundation and other improvements so the structure can withstand the pressure of tons of snow.

Associated Press

Airlines respond to fiscal pressures

American Airlines has extended through January its reduction in schedules.

The airline had canceled 15 flights at Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth airports Oct. 5, blaming the high cost of fuel.

As part of its bankruptcy restructuring, Delta has announced it plans to close down its low-cost airline Song. It will continue flying until May.

-- Compiled by Times staff and wire reports