ISS Potable Water Sampling and Chemical Analysis: Expeditions 4 & 5

The International Space Station (ISS) drinking water supply consists of water recovered from humidity condensate, water transferred from Shuttle, and groundwater supplied from Russia. The water is dispensed from both the stored water dispensing system (SVO-ZV) and the condensate recovery system (SRV-K) galley. Teflon bags are used periodically to collect potable water samples, which are then transferred to Shuttle for return to Earth. The results from analyses of these samples are used to monitor the potability of the drinking water on board and evaluate the efficiency of the water recovery system. This report provides results from detailed analyses of samples of ISS recovered potable water, Shuttle-supplied water, and ground-supplied water taken during ISS Expeditions 4 and 5. During Expedition 4, processing of U.S. Lab condensate through the Russian condensate recovery system was initiated. Results indicate water recovered from both Service Module and U.S. Lab condensates meets water quality standards for the ISS Russian Segment established jointly between the U.S. and Russia, both before and after U.S. Lab condensate was processed. Turbidity levels in SVO-ZV water continue to be slightly above limits.