What are the rules and regulations regarding the supply of tap water to restaurant-goers in need? Strangely, the laws surrounding this quite basic need for water are extremely ambiguous, as the UK's Guardian newspaper reported on 30th August.

After dining for hours and splashing lots of cash on a sumptuous meal for herself and her friends, Dr Anne Guilding was refused a glass of tap water, requested by a diner who wished to take some medication. The restaurant claimed it was not their policy to offer free tap water and the manager still refused to supply any after the party made a complaint.

Not against the law
The outrage that this report has provoked is understandable, but why do some bars and restaurants not have to supply free water? In the UK, it is not the law – as many people are led to believe – that establishments must serve water on tap for free. In Britain, an astonishing nine out of ten restaurants fail to supply tap water to their customers and many bars charge for water – often up to 30 pence per 100ml glass.

Europe has water on tap
Elsewhere in Europe, tales are less pitiful and many people report that tap water is freely available. One Parisienne said of her local restaurants: «  in Paris it is seen as standard to provide a carafe of chilled water with a meal...to all those places in Britain trying to charge for "use of the glass" I would say this is no more justifiable than charging for use of the chair, napkin or knife and fork! »

Others commenting on the Consumer Council for Water's (CCW) message board (http://www.ccwater.org.uk/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.1567) say that elsewhere in the world, such as Finland and Japan, it is entirely standard practice to offer tap water when customers sit down at the table. The Finnish claim that their water is so delicious and pure that no one would dream of asking for mineral water.

A health risk?
In the UK many believe that the tap water is over-chlorinated and unhealthy, thus on the grounds of "health and safety", certain establishments hold back from offering tap water. However, the CCW hits back, claiming that the UK's main water supply is entirely potable and is not a health risk in the slightest.