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I can’t keep quiet anymore.
Maybe it’s the low-key germaphobe in me. Perhaps I’m especially prickly because I’m dealing with a nasty cold while writing this.
Filling up reusable water bottles with the lip close to the fountain spigot is gross. And I see it all the time in airport lounges.
Did you know that the average reusable water bottle has 40,000 times the bacteria found on a toilet seat? (Source: WaterGilterGuru)
That drives me crazy.
I’ve seen signs in a few airport lounges expressly asking people to fill individual glasses with water and then dump those into their water bottles. Folks, it’s not that difficult. Even I can figure it out (which, as René will attest, means it’s pretty simple to both grasp and practice).
(I didn’t pour the bourbon glass into the bottle; that was empty long before I filled up the water. Though I once saw a lady dump a double gin and tonic — lime and all — into a thermos before heading to her flight.)
I don’t necessarily mind these stations:
I wish lounges had those installed. But I don’t think is as easy as snapping one’s figures and, ta-dah, a new piece of plumbing is up and working.
But they’re all over most airports these days. So, if you must fill up your water bottle directly from the source, please leave the lounge maybe a couple of minutes early, find one of those filling stations like the one pictured above, and knock yourself out. Yes, the water is free. You’re not missing out on any complimentary perks.
Does this bother anyone else besides me? Please share your thoughts in the below Comments section.
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If the TSA and other similar agencies around the world would stop the war on water going through security it would help with this issue.
This.
Much ado about nothing. The “5-second rule”, wherein any food that touches the floor is deemed unsafe to eat, has actually been tested by scientists. The research showed that it takes at least five seconds for any germs at all to be transferred… and that’s with actual surface contact. So I’m going to surmise that having one’s water bottle close to the spigot results in pretty much zero contamination.
As long as my water bottle doesn’t touch the fixture or anything else I don’t see any problem with this. But yes, lounges should have more refill stations for reusable bottles.
Exactly. I don’t have a problem with the photo posted here, the bottle is not touching the dispenser. There are really more important problems in the sky club than this.
no one cares
I tend to avoid all public water fountains anyway, not just in airports. In our local park, I’ve seen many, many people let their dogs drink (and lick) directly from the spout; I’ve also seen parents washing their children’s feet in the basin… (what had they stepped in?), as well as other, probably homeless people bathing their underarms, etc.
Yeah it’s definitely a you thing. Amongst the list of first world problems, this is the most stupid one yet.
I agree with you Chris!! That is disgusting! To me that’s in the same league as people going to the restroom and notwashing their hands.
This is a germophobe article, pure and simple.
If the masses weren’t such freaks about germs, we would be a much stronger population from an immunity standpoint.
Just flew around world and visited 5 lounges from U.S ,Dubai and Hong Kong. LOUNGES HAVE BECOME THE NEW FLOPHOUSES. Already overcrowded and people with shoes off and bare feet on furniture, laying down and taking more furniture then needed for group in overcrowded space. The behaviors at food station beyond disgusting and unsanitary. Bathrooms disgusting. Yikes.
I have no problem filling up bottles. Not only is there no reason to be concerned about germs, we should applaud folks who choose to use a refillable water bottle instead of taking a single serve plastic bottle. I’m more annoyed by airlines handing out tiny 8 oz bottles of water. I wish the airlines would refill my water bottle.
I think if you are worried about germs spreading by tap, you shouldn’t visit a lounge (or airport) where there are hundreds (or thousands) of people crossing paths and passing viruses, bacteria, etc through the air, on surfaces, and many other ways.
In terms or risk, a persons water bottle and a tap, that is not even worth thinking about (why did I spend 5 minutes responding…).
I’m more than willing to accept these risks to enjoy life.
That’s funny
airports planes travel the masses of people lines baggage ??? … water bottle filling might be the least of your worries ….
Greenies: You MUST use re-fillable water bottles, to SAVE THE PLANET!!
ME: Uses re-fillable water bottle.
Greenies: NOT LIKE THAT!!!
Bacteria on the bottle can’t jump. I hope you don’t eat any of the food sitting out in the lounge because people touching the tongs that goes into food can transfer bacteria.
Thanks for writing this and this answer the question I have always had. I had always wondered why the Delta sign in the Club had said not to refill and be courteous. I have always been wondering what the sign meant until now.
You know the tongs/spoons that everyone touches to self serve their plates with food? Yeah, those things are way more contaminated than the water spigot. And I’m willing to bet you don’t wash your hands before or after using the tongs/spoons, so just relax. Take a breath. Don’t underestimate your immune system. You’ll get through this.
Thanks for the words of encouragement!
40,000 times the bacteria of a toilet seat? Well then, I guess it’s true. 50 million dogs can’t be wrong!
I use a water bottle that the top screws off, so the part I sip from is removed when refilling. It is very tall and sometimes if it isn’t a good fit underneath I use a cup to refill, but that feels wasteful to me.
Many people do put the bottle right up on the nozzle… NOT GOOD at all.. Gives me the creeps!!! ALso in restaurants when they fill your glass with a pitcher and the pitcher lip is in your glass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t know that people did this. Thanks to TSA kabuki theatre and four years of no pre-departure beverage, I have started to bring my own empty water bottle through security and fill it airside in the regular concourse water fountain. And the water bottle specific water fountains are the best. Lounges are all different: some better than others. Many are skid row with dirty feet on furniture, families camping and diaper changing with long entry lines; a few are actual peaceful retreats.
I am a germophone but am one of the 1% of passengers who actually flew international all through the lockdowns
I’ve always been told that you are supposed to go to the bartender to fill up your bottle. However, today, the United Club bartender told me to fill mine up directly via this spout. And then berated me when I said it was unsanitary. Apparently this isn’t “wrong” anymore.