Water System Maintenance
Effectivity: Challenger 600 series aircraft
ATA 38
Bombardier would like to remind operators and maintenance personnel the need to properly maintain the water system to avoid bacterial contamination. Unlike the Global series aircraft, which are equipped with active filtration elements (recirculating system, UV filter, membrane filter), the water system on the Challenger 600 series aircraft (fitted with a Bombardier Completion STC) is simpler. It does not include any component purifying the water introduced and therefore, special attention is required.
The Supplemental Time Limits and Maintenance Checks (STLMC) TASK 12-15-65-601 - Sanitization of the Potable Water System on the Challenger 605 states that the sanitization should be carried out every six (6) months. For the same task on the Challenger 650 aircraft, there are no fixed intervals. The intervals may be part of the operator’s national regulations (ex: Environmental Protection Agency, Health Canada). Operators may also need to adjust the appropriate task intervals based on experience, operational requirements, and/or environmental conditions to suit their operation.
If an operator starts noticing a foul smell coming from the water faucet in the galley and/or lavatory, then the sanitization task should be performed. Moreover, if an operator suspects the water introduced in the water tank was of poor quality, a sanitization of the system should be carried out to eliminate traces of potential contaminants.
As a good practice, Bombardier recommends the water system to be purged, not only the water tank, whenever the aircraft is parked for longer periods to avoid bacterial growth. The water supply lines also need to be emptied. To do this for aircraft fitted with a Bombardier Completion STC, follow the instructions on the placard located under Galley sink and/or refer to Supplemental Maintenance Manual (SMM) TASK 12-15-00 for the detailed procedure.
Should you have any questions about the water system, please contact your Bombardier Field Service Representative (FSR) or the Customer Response Centre (CRC) team 24/7 at 1-866-538-1247.