UPDATE 1-US warns airline over paint chips in water tank

(Recasts, adds background, company comment)

WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - U.S. health inspectors found paint chips and other debris in equipment used to deliver drinking water to Atlantic Southeast Airlines planes in Kansas, regulators said on Tuesday.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed in a May 2 warning letter that inspectors detected a sediment problem in March with a portable tank, or cart, at the carrier's Mid-Continent Airport facility in Wichita.

"This presence of sediment indicates that the water cart is not adequately maintained, flushed and sanitized with sufficient frequency to ensure potable water is delivered to the aircraft," the agency said.

The Atlanta-based carrier is a unit of SkyWest Inc (SKYW.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), and the watering point inspected by the FDA is used to service Atlantic Southeast flights operating as connecting service for Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Atlantic Southeast spokeswoman Kate Modolo said the tank had already been taken out of service for maintenance issues before the FDA inspection in March.

"The equipment wasn't in service so we're currently investigating what may have occurred to cause the contamination," she said.

Most of the company's planes get water from the airline's Atlanta hub and are only refilled at the Kansas facility on an as-needed basis, Modolo said. All of its water carts are cleaned on a monthly basis, she added.

The FDA said it would allow Atlantic Southeast to continue using the water facility on a "provisional" basis, but called for changes to correct the problem.  Continued...