Bottled vs tap water

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Posted at 5:55PM, 26 February 2008 by Holly Jones - researcher, bbcgoodfood.com

From what I understand, it's only here in the UK that asking for tap water is seen as embarrassing and cheap. Certainly, I've found in America that tap water is brought to your table as a matter of routine and courtesy as soon as you sit down.

I always ask for a glass of tap water in a restaurant. I don't see it as my main drink, more of a thirst quencher so I can enjoy my wine and not gulp it down. But I've been given a few subtle 'oh how cheap' looks from waiters in my time.

But what's wrong with tap water? Surely the restaurant's taps are clean and supplying water from a similar source to the one in my home? I don't drink bottled water there and don't feel I need to spend four pounds on a bottle in a restaurant.

Claridges famously launched a global water menu last year, with over 30 varieties of bottled water listed and prices reaching heights that I find quite nauseating. Why? For the water connoisseur, of course.

Britain remains a place of snobbery where one has to outdo one's neighbour in certain circles and industries. Gone are the days when the latest mobile phone or palm pilot was enough to symbolise your power, now it's all down to the water you drink with your meal. Or maybe that's just here in the capital city?

In London a campaign has been launched to encourage people to drink tap water - no doubt to the disgust of the connoisseurs. London On Tap is a new initiative between Thames Water and the Mayor of London to make people aware that bottled water is not just bad for your wallet, it's bad for the environment - if restaurants didn't stock bottled water, this would cut down on production, packaging, transport, waste - and that's just the start.

The campaign also aims to 'empower customers in bars and restaurants to ask for tap water rather than feeling obliged to ask for more expensive bottled brands.'

A slogan after my own heart.

Forgive me if you are a water connoisseur. I don't want to come across as ignorant and am aware that flavours differ and filtration processes vary but I'll never forget the first time someone pointed out to me that Evian was naïve backwards! Coincidence? I'll leave it up to you to decide.

Comments

gilles

28 February, 11:24AM
gilles

I absolutely agree with you! In France, a cool bottle of water is waiting for you at the table and the waiters are more than happy to fill it up again. They don't only do that out of friendliness, they are actually obliged by law to do so. I really hope that campaign you mentioned is becoming popular and that it is normal in a couple of years to have your bottle of tap water.

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tattookitten

28 February, 12:06PM
tattookitten

I always ask for a jug of tap water when I eat out regardless of how cheap I look. I don't drink bottled water at home so why should I feel obliged to spend an extra fiver on bottled water when I'm in a restaurant? Having said that in the restaurant I work at our boss always says that if someone asks for water you should assume that they are having bottled and ask if they want still or sparkling. I hate doing this because people don't need to be pressured into ordering things they don't want so I ask if they want a jug or bottled. Personally I think that if someone wants bottled water then they would order it without me prompting them. Loving the London on Tap campaign, I hope it goes well.

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elizabeth

28 February, 12:08PM
elizabeth

I agree with you about drinking tap water and hope the campaign goes well, BUT the taste of tap water varies from area to area in Britain I have found. We always order bottled if we come to a London hotel but noticed last week that the Hilton at Docklands had provided the lady next to us in the restaurant, with a huge jug of tap water with lots of ice floating in it and it looked delicious.

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Mineke

28 February, 1:21PM
Mineke

In the Netherlands they will simply not serve you tap water. You will get a bottle of still water. No money to be made in a glass of tap water. It gets even more stupid in the city of Utrecht. The tapwater in Utrecht comes from a spring. Exactly the same water from the same spring is put in botles and sold for in bars, restaurants and supermarkets. People in Utrecht go to the store to buy their tap water bottled! I don't get it.

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Barbara

29 February, 1:05PM
Barbara

I totally agree and wrote the same on my blog: http://www.icis.com/blogs/icis-chemicals-confidential/files/2008/02/revenge-of-the-tap-water-1.html

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Jannielou

1 March, 12:48PM
Jannielou

I totally agree and would add that there are some bottled waters that I dont enjoy as they have a "sulphuric" taste. These always seem to be the big brand French ones. In my opinion you cant beat a glass of Lancashire tap water. Its lovely. But when I lived in London I didnt enjoy it quite as much and had one those filter things, and kept some in the fridge. Chilled any water tastes good!

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Nic Wise

1 March, 3:57PM
Nic Wise

I agree that you dont need bottled water (esp at Â£4 a bottle!), however I think there is a difference between chilled, filtered tap water and plain tap water, especially in London. See my blog: http://www.fastchicken.co.nz/blog/2008/02/20/LondonWater.aspx Gilles is right - water should be on hand, cold, filtered and from the tap - unless I ask for bottled or fizzy stuff, in which case, I'm happy to pay.

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Sandy

2 March, 10:17AM
Sandy

To all of you above,thank heavens there are still some people out there who can stand up and be counted.The answer from Mineke says it all.

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Ben

3 March, 2:47PM
Ben

All diners should be given the option of tap water BUT it is only fair that the should be a small charge for it. Not as much as bottled water as the product is virtually costless but the same service is needed ie serving, use of glasses, dishwashing etc.

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Holly

3 March, 4:53PM
Holly

I disagree wholeheartedly Ben. Sorry. If waiters served me water without making it out to be a chore I think I would probably put it down to good service and tip more. Who would get the extra money in you scenario - probably not the waiters. I would quite happily collect my own jug of water if it were an option. I think it would be nice to have jugs and taps where people could just refill as they pleased. And, if you didn't want to, then bottled would be an option.

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thisediblelife

9 March, 9:27PM
thisediblelife

I read last week that Aldo Zilli is banning bottled water from his restaurants and I think other restaurateurs should follow his lead.

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lindyloo

16 March, 6:47PM
lindyloo

Lets celebrate the fact that in this country we have good quality water that is safe to drink and available at the turn of a tap. For far to many people in this world that is just a dream that they may never see in reality, we take it far to much for granted in this country that water will be available to us 24/7 as those unfortunate folks involved in the floods last year found out. We don't need bottled water unless we are away from taps and restaurants lets hope have the same access as we all do to good quality tap water. Make a small charge if you will to cover washing up, water rates and service but lets stop this addiction we have to expensive bottled water.

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kiwi

19 March, 9:24AM
kiwi

i drink both.

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Clare Drury

19 March, 8:31PM
Clare Drury

There is nothing more refreshing than a jug of iced water on the table to complement a good wine during a meal. I would never opt for buying wine AND water. Too expensive and a waste of money.

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munchies

2 April, 7:29PM
munchies

I live in a house and from all indications the pipes could have been laid about 30 odd years ago.I would love to drink tap water but I feel it is a health hazard.

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Jen

2 April, 10:02PM
Jen

Me and my Husband own a small Tearooms we get asked for average 20 to 30 glasses of tap water a day we have to pay water rates clean them dry them serve them, we don't charge but are begining to get a bit fed up. So we will soon ask for a 10p donation for the tap water if they don't want to pay thats ok but if they ask. We will explain WHY.

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foxy

1 May, 4:38PM
foxy

if your worried about looking cheap just tell your waiter/waitress you don't mind either but if they bring you mineral water, what you have to pay for it will come out of their tip. see what they bring you then, i guarentee it will be a cheap and cheerful tap-water

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