Free tap water denied - complaint

bookworm1363

Could you get me a glass of water while I wait, please? :rotfl:

Caterina

manch235ter wrote: »

it is not illegal to refuse to serve tapwater. However it is illegal to charge for a glass of tapwater

Some businesses get around this by saying that they charge for the cup - had this once when I asked for an extra cup of hot water to add to my tea (simply because I like it very weak) - they charged 20p for the cup and the water was free. So I went back for a second cup of hot water using the cup I had already "bought" and they could do nothing else but give it!:rotfl:

Caterina

bookworm1363 wrote: »

Could you get me a glass of water while I wait, please? :rotfl:

That'll be £2 for the cup please!:p This is a business, not a charity, y'know?

The_Pedant

Just came across a useful note to those in for Scotland, unfortunately it only relates to licensed premises. I thought it would be worth adding to this subject for future note.

From, The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005:-

Provision of non-alcoholic drinks
9 (1) The conditions specified in this paragraph apply only to the extent that the premises
licence authorises the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises.
(2) Tap water fit for drinking must be provided free of charge on request.

I also dug up a little more on the myth(?) in the rest of the country. As an earlier poster noted, the provision of tap water may well date back to old traveller days:-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/nov/14/waterwatereverywhere

In fact, says Ingrid Gubbay, campaigns lawyer at consumer group Which?, restaurants do not legally have to provide free tap water. Only licensed clubs do, a hangover from the old highways and inn laws that said tap water had to be given out for free to thirsty travellers. n a restaurant however when you order a meal you're agreeing to pay for the food and drink and service and this is a contract for work and materials to which the Supply of Goods and Services Act applies. "While a restaurant can't force you to buy mineral water, it can legitimately charge you for providing tap water as mean as it might sound.

willo65

Sorry if this has been mentioned already but not got time to read the full thread. I think that if the premises are playing music then part of the licence says something about providing free tap water. in future ask for water at the same time as you purchase your food and if they say no then don't buy the food and promptly leave.

brightonman123

tbw wrote: »

Rubbish - London tap water has been filtered at least a dozen times (through other peoples kidneys!!!)

i was thinking more of o=the overspill from the river into the water supply..

:beer:

Caterina

Thank you Pedant, next time if I am thirsty I shall eat my sandwich and then go to a pub to ask for a glass of water if I need it!

Actually, this was such a one-off for me, I don't normally go out without my (tap-water-filled) bottle of water and it is really rare that I would buy a sandwich in one of the usually overpriced eateries of Central London, but on this occasion I was on a nice outing and did not prepare.

Lesson learnt and thank you all for the support (and for the tut-tutting and silly comments from some posters too, they gave me a good laugh!). Will update here if I get any feedback from the headquarters of the sub cafe.

pulliptears

In my Uni there are water fountains and cups provided free of charge throughout the building.

I tend to drink a lot of coffee, but Im on a health kick so I took in a peppermint T Bag this morning and went to the cafe for a cup of hot water served from their machine. The girls charge just 5p for a polystyrene cup and lid..they tell me thats the cost to them so thats what they charge. Milk is an added 5p.

dawnster95

tobybowes wrote: »

McDonalds used to (and i believe still does) off free soda water (fizzy water) if you ask nicely. But when i used to get it i would usually be purchasing two meals and i would just have a soda water (generally to take tablets).

But McDonalds doesnt offer free tap water as it sells over priced bottles.

I work at McDonalds, and while I agree, the bottled water is over priced, I've never said no to a customer who has asked for tap water. People very rarely ask, they'd rather buy the bottle.

omen666

Suggest you drop an email to the evening standard, they are doing a tap water campaign for resturants, takeaways etc to give free tap water