Anyone else been refused tap water in restaurant

Mistral001

This is an old thread and to remind people, that several posters above have pointed out that it is generally not illegal for licensed premises to charge for tap water. This is the Law in England but it has not come into place here in NI.

jouef

Mistral001 wrote: »

'... it is generally not illegal for licensed premises to charge for tap water.'

Quite right, for NI as you say. I've heard that in England, while it's compulsory to supply free tap water where alcohol is sold, it is legal to charge for the associated service.

Many posters (including the OP) focus on the perceived unreasonableness of charging for tap water, rather than any supposed illegality. As the cafe-owner's response shows, the actual costs differ mainly in the ingredients, not the service. This suggests it is reasonable to charge for water unless it's a business decision to give it away (like poppadums, mints or ketchup for example).

jouef

jenheiffer wrote: »

'This is NOT the same as being charged for a glass of cold water.'

Well no, it's a glass instead of a cup, cold water instead of hot, and there's no need to cut up a lemon. But most of the overheads the cafe owner describes ARE much the same. The only significant difference seems to be the customer's sense of entitlement.

nigel.brown47

For the last couple of years Luton Airport provided water fountains after passing through security so that we could fill an empty plastic water bottle for our flight and avoid the extortionate charges in the airport shops and on the aircraft.

This facility was removed recently when they started building works and hasn't been replaced. Also, we have not seen it at the continental airport we use.

Isn't it time the EU made this a mandatory requirement at all airports?

jenheiffer

nigel.brown47 wrote: »

For the last couple of years Luton Airport provided water fountains after passing through security so that we could fill an empty plastic water bottle for our flight and avoid the extortionate charges in the airport shops and on the aircraft.

This facility was removed recently when they started building works and hasn't been replaced. Also, we have not seen it at the continental airport we use.

Isn't it time the EU made this a mandatory requirement at all airports?

There would have to be a valid reason. I somehow think helping customers to save money wouldn't be considered important enough to the powers that be! 😉

ziggycj

It's not tap water at restaurants that's the issue, it's getting tap water at airports. You could go hours without water + on the flight some airlines don't provide free water. I flew from Luton Airport last week and couldn't find anywhere to fill up (or any staff member to try asking) then on the Ryanair flight they only sold water. I'm just too stubborn to pay for water. I just couldn't do it so went about 5 hours without water.

I've started walking with watery fruits (grape etc) which provide hydration and don't get restricted.

motorguy

ziggycj wrote: »

It's not tap water at restaurants that's the issue, it's getting tap water at airports. You could go hours without water + on the flight some airlines don't provide free water. I flew from Luton Airport last week and couldn't find anywhere to fill up (or any staff member to try asking) then on the Ryanair flight they only sold water. I'm just too stubborn to pay for water. I just couldn't do it so went about 5 hours without water.

I've started walking with watery fruits (grape etc) which provide hydration and don't get restricted.

If i was in need of water to the point of risking dehydration, i'd spend the money and buy a bottle anyway

Often theres offers on where you can buy a newspaper and get a bottle of water, or 2 for £2 deals to offset the high prices.

In fact most airports have an M&S or a Boots or somewhere similar that charge reasonable prices for drinks, etc.

Its not a perfect cost free world we live in therefore theres not always the ability to get free water no matter where you are, unfortunately.

qwert_yuiop

This walking with watery fruits - that makes me feel a bit uneasy.

jouef

ziggycj wrote: »

... on the Ryanair flight they only sold water. I'm just too stubborn to pay for water. I just couldn't do it so went about 5 hours without water.

Why didn't you just go and drink it out of the aircraft toilet for free? That way they wouldn't have to pay someone to come to your seat, take your request, go to the galley, find a cup, fill it with water, bring it to you, remove the used cup, dispose of it, and go back to what they were doing before. Not to mention the equipment and supervision required to store and dispense drinking water safely. Then there would be no question of expecting you to pay for the service.

motorguy

jouef wrote: »

Why didn't you just go and drink it out of the aircraft toilet for free?

The toilets are water free so clearly thats impossible.

Maybe they should just up everyones flights in price to cover "free" water, alcholic drinks, meals, etc?