TOUGHER SAFEGUARDS: Twenty-four airlines signed agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency to better monitor and disinfect the drinking water served to passengers.

NEW PENALTIES: If found not complying with the Safe Drinking Water Act, the airlines are now subject to fines up to $27,500 per infraction.

AGENCY REVIEW: An EPA investigation last year found total coliform bacteria in 15 percent of the 327 airplanes the agency reviewed at 19 airports. This bacteria, usually harmless, is an indicator that other disease-causing organisms could be in the water.

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