A modular faucet system for an aircraft comprising a faucet outlet, a flow valve, and an actuator. The faucet outlet is configured to be installed on the aircraft. The flow valve is configured to be installed on the aircraft separately from the faucet outlet, to be connected by a first water line to a water supply comprising a water tank on the aircraft, and to be connected by a second water line to the faucet outlet. The actuator is configured to be installed on the aircraft separately from the faucet outlet and the flow valve. The actuator comprises a touchless sensor that is configured to detect a user of the modular faucet system. The actuator is configured to generate a control signal to open the flow valve to provide water from the water supply to the faucet outlet in response to detection of the user by the touchless sensor.