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"Tap Water"

I thought it was illegal to charge for tap water but last night I was at a Chinese restaurant (after seeing Ratatouille, which you should see) and they charged 50p for tap water. My brother who used to be a landlord said it was illegal to charge for it, but that was a while ago so I don't know if things have changed?

The Chinese restaurant was fairly shocking all round to be honest anyway so I shouldn't have been so surprised. The staff wanted us out and soon as we stepped in through the door. :'-(

I bet this is the first and last topic on tap water: it isn't as interesting as vodka muffins.

ST, you cannot drink water whilst watching rugby, it's against the law! :o You HAVE to drink cider! :p

I went to the pub last night to watch the rugby and I ordered tap water, which I recieved for free but I also recieved odd looks because all my other friends were drinking alcohol.

I think it depends upon the place. I always gets free tap water from the clubs I go to if I'm feeling a bit dehydrated, but then I asked at a pub once, and they said no because they have to pay the water bill!

Good point :)

When you think that a bottle of mineral water is several million times as expensive as tap water, despite being essentially the same stuff, upon being charged 50p for tap water, consider that you've received a near identical product, without incurring the environmental damage inherent in the bottling of the more expensive alternative.

Personally, I would be suspicious of anything that was truly 'free'.

a bit of a rip off, as its less then 1p for several litres of the stuff. Not a very nice place then.

Urban myth I believe. I think licensing laws say you must make tap water available. However what you talking about moves into the realm of providing a service which they are entitled to charge for.

I thought tap water had to be free in any public restaurant etc as long as you were a customer.

I thought it was illegal to charge for tap water but last night I was at a Chinese restaurant (after seeing Ratatouille, which you should see) and they charged 50p for tap water. My brother who used to be a landlord said it was illegal to charge for it, but that was a while ago so I don't know if things have changed?

The Chinese restaurant was fairly shocking all round to be honest anyway so I shouldn't have been so surprised. The staff wanted us out and soon as we stepped in through the door. :'-(

I bet this is the first and last topic on tap water: it isn't as interesting as vodka muffins.