Restaurants overcharge for bottled water, say consumers

The majority of the public think that restaurants overcharge for bottled water, according to research from consumer watchdog Which?

In a survey of more than 3,000 consumers by the publisher of The Good Food Guide, 87% said restaurants charge too much for water.

Which? pointed to Claridges’ recent launch of a water menu of more than 30 bottled waters from around the world, with the most expensive, Berg, costing the equivalent of £30 a litre.

That’s 13,636 times more expensive than tap water, which costs 0.22p a litre, according to the consumer group.

Half of the survey respondents said they can’t taste the difference between bottled and tap water, with 18% actually preferring the taste from the tap.

However, one in five admitted that they feel embarrassed when asking for tap water when eating out.

Elizabeth Carter, consultant editor of The Good Food Guide, said: “People looking after the pennies could easily save pounds by drinking tap water when eating out.

“We think that all restaurants should provide free tap water without customers having to ask. Most will cheerfully comply with requests for tap. If they don’t, feel free to take your custom elsewhere.”

Carafe designs and council unveiled to promote water >>

Operators hit back on water profits >>

London campaigns for tap water to be free >>

Water: Battle of the bottles >>

By Daniel Thomas

E-mail your comments to Daniel Thomas here.

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next  restaurant job here with Caterersearch.com jobs