Charging for tap water

MissTeak

Otdering tap water in any establishment marks you out instantly as the sort of customer they dont really want as your spend on food is also likely to be extremely low!.

They can charge whatever they see fit and it was your responsobility to ascertain any costs before asking for the tap water.

We would have no problem paying for tap water except we always choose the finest mineral water on offer as a rule.

suelizab

that is a very snobbish thing to say, and totally untrue .

pogofish

Beenie wrote: »

I may be wrong about this, but I seem to remember that it's part of the Alcohol Licence (which the licensee must apply for) that you must provide water at no charge. You may charge for washing the glass, providing the glasses etc. But that is often a nominal 10p only.

It is - but it was left up to individual authorities to apply as they see fit, so the situation does vary by area. You would need to check the license conditions for the area and type of premises concerned to confirm definitively if they are allowed to charge or not.

browneyedbazzi

MissTeak wrote: »

They can charge whatever they see fit and it was your responsobility to ascertain any costs before asking for the tap water.

What rubbish.

A retailer can charge what they like but there must be a clear and unambiguous indication of the price available to the customer - without them having to ask for it. If no price was listed on the menu for tap water and the waiting staff didn't tell them the price at the time of ordering then they cannot charge for it.

As mentioned above, if the premises has a licence to sell alcohol they must provide free tap water (this is a mandatory condition on all licences that authorise the sale of alcohol in England and Wales, it does not depend on the local authority - although some authorities will be more active on enforcing than others). As for being able to charge for the provision of a glass or the 'service' of brining it to the table - I'm not aware of any case law yet, but I doubt that would be acceptable because something is only truly free if there is no charge whatsoever for it being provided - if the premises had a water fountain available that people could walk up to and drink from directly or they had a choice to 'hire' a glass to fill up I would think that would be ok. But if the only way to get the tap water was to pay a service charge for its delivery or pay for the glass then that would not be properly free.

hollydays

MissTeak wrote: »

Otdering tap water in any establishment marks you out instantly as the sort of customer they dont really want as your spend on food is also likely to be extremely low!.

They can charge whatever they see fit and it was your responsobility to ascertain any costs before asking for the tap water.

We would have no problem paying for tap water except we always choose the finest mineral water on offer as a rule.

Delivered to the table by gold plated dwarves, no doubt.

Kim_kim

MissTeak wrote: »

Otdering tap water in any establishment marks you out instantly as the sort of customer they dont really want as your spend on food is also likely to be extremely low!.

They can charge whatever they see fit and it was your responsobility to ascertain any costs before asking for the tap water.

We would have no problem paying for tap water except we always choose the finest mineral water on offer as a rule.

I always drink tap water, I don't really like fizzy or flavoured drinks.

Putting water in plastic bottles isn't really very environmentally friendly. We are very lucky in this country to have drinking water on tap.

I do buy bottled water if I'm out & about & thirsty, like shopping. But I'm equally happy with the taste of tap.

photome

Collabora wrote: »

I don't think their is anything to stop them charging for Tap Water, when you think of it they will have to pay water rates for their water which will be higher than domestic rates.
I think most places will charge a small fee

I think you are wrong

I have drunk tap water in hundreds of places and never been charged.

I wouldnt have a problem paying a small fee but not £1.30

photome

MissTeak wrote: »

Otdering tap water in any establishment marks you out instantly as the sort of customer they dont really want as your spend on food is also likely to be extremely low!.

They can charge whatever they see fit and it was your responsobility to ascertain any costs before asking for the tap water.

We would have no problem paying for tap water except we always choose the finest mineral water on offer as a rule.

What rubbish

judging by your posts you have just joined and thought I can be the Katie Hopkins of MSE

HurdyGurdy

Thank you all for your replies. I wasn't aware of the licensed premises thing, so that was very interesting.

The restaurant (an American style diner) is licensed, there is no mention of a charge for tap water on the menu, and we weren't told we would be charged for it.

Regarding being a tight-wad for ordering tap water - I don't think a lunch for three adults and a toddler, costing £50 (no starters, no deserts) can be classed as being a tight wad! My son has always been a "full sugar fizzy drinks" man, but he has decided to "try" only drinking water from now. (I doubt it will last long). I would have been quite happy to buy bottled water for him, but the waiter asked him if he wanted tap water. If he'd asked if he wanted sparkling or still or tap, he may have chosen bottled - I don't know.

And yes, of course, I left a tip. The waiters did a great job, and the charging policy of the restaurant chain isn't their responsibility.

The meal we had was great - we had a lovely time. I was just a bit taken aback at what - to me - seemed a bit of an excessive charge for tap water.

giraffe69

Otdering tap water in any establishment marks you out instantly as the sort of customer they dont really want as your spend on food is also likely to be extremely low!.

Well when I go into a restaurant I spend a reasonable amount. I do order wine and I ask for tap water. I don't think I am alone. It used to be that ordering tap water was seen as cheap skating but in my view more have caught on to the idea that restaurants use water ordering as a way to increase their profits and customers are not only wise to this but perhaps less embarrassed than they used to be about ordering it.