Tap water experiences

toadhall

as a family of 5, I always ask for a jug of tap water and 5 glasses, never been refused.
a meal out costs enough as it is without sometimes paying nearly £10 for 5 drinks on top of it, we drink water at home so why should it be any different out.

moneypooh

I usually ask for tap water as my son doesn't like fizzy drinks, and the only problem we had was at Blackpool Tower. They refused as the tap water came from old lead pipes and wasn't fit to drink.

djhworld

There was an article in The Guardian the other day about bottled water and a lot of the facts were shocking

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/10/water.foodanddrink

£21 for a bottle of water? Jesus christ.

I loathe bottled water, especially those who drink it in their own home.

In terms of restaraunts, in that article in mentions one restaurant who've fitted a state of the art filtration system into their waterworks and only ask for a small subsidy when they provide you with tap water.

I fully support this, it solves the gamble of getting "bad water" from the pipes whilst also making your water taste really nice.

geekgirl

I only drink tap water, no tea, coffee, alcohol etc... so I am constantly asking for water when out. I don't usually have a problem. I don't mind paying a reasonable cost for it but I have to say I was peeved when I was asked to pay £1.50 for a glass which was the same price as the fizzy drinks. I am usually charged if it isn't free about 15 - 20p. I have only been asked once for a small donation to a local charity and he asked me to put it straight into the charity box, which I had no problem with.

RandomRainy

michael-m wrote: »

I understood all restaurants/bars in GB were obliged by law to provide a glass of tap water on request, whether or not one is buying any other food or drink. And I've successfully argued on that basis in various establishments over many years!

I thought this too and challenged the staff in my local Yates's. They refused to give me tap water (despite buying other drinks and food). They told me I could buy a bottle of water. I was so sure that bars were legally obliged to supply water so I asked a policeman about it. Legally they have to supply water, but there is no legislation to say that they have to provide "Free Tap Water". Ok, so they obided by the law, but I still feel that it's poor customer service to not provide free tap water. :mad:

heyjustme

Do you know that you can ask a representative from United Utillites to call to your house/ premise and check the lead content? Not sure of other water companies.

mickstottuk

All this talk about tap water having a cost is nonsence. My Water Authority charges me £2.30 per 1000 litres. So if you were to be charged 1 penny for a litre jug of water the pub/restaurant would be making a 300% profit. You could have the whole 1000 litres for the cost of a pint!

tottie666

I always ask for tap water - When I do venture to the pubs with soft play I will only get the children a jug oftap water with ice. I will not pay for the over priced and often really bad drinks on offer in pubs for children, and often myself.

If my middle daughter - who has additional needs - insists on a flavoured juice (I choose my battles carefully and this is not one i will draw swords over) I have found that adding a splash of cordial to a glass of water at the bar will only be 20p.

Go free water, GO GO GO

busy_mum_4

Just been out tonight to my local Brewers Fayre, with my family for a meal.
We asked for two glasses of tapwater for the children,and were served quite happily with it. (We were offered alternatives like bottled flavoured water or fizzy) but when I said no just tap water they were fine.
Not a problem, just ask they can only say yes or no.:j

tim.uk

>Not that I know of, and I've owned a pub for several years. >Tap water, although cheap, is not free if you're on a meter, >and there are staff costs and glass washing to pay for too. >However, I've never refused anyone.

I'm not familiar with the latest licensing law, but in the past it was a condition of having an alcohol licence to provide free drinking water to anyone (they didn't have to purchase anything else either!!)

Tim