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Hundreds of businesses help to cut back on bottled water
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent01.04.08
Hundreds of restaurants, clubs and shops have now signed up to the Evening Standard's Water On Tap campaign.
They range from Michelin-starred establishments including Tom Aikens to high street chains such as McDonald's and Starbucks.
Today we launch a new website allowing people to find pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and cafés in their area that have signed the Standard's online pledge to offer free tap water to customers without prejudice.
Visitors to www.standard.co.uk can search by area or postcode, and get directions to their venue of choice. Businesses wishing to join the Water On Tap campaign can sign up online. The aim is to end the practice of food venues offering only "still or sparkling" bottled water without mentioning that water is available on tap. Diners and drinkers often feel stigmatised by asking for tap water.
The campaign also aims to slash the negative impact of bottled water on the environment.
Britons drink three billion bottles of water every year, and half a billion of these are flown in or shipped from overseas.
The campaign was launched by chef Aldo Zilli at his Soho restaurant and has been backed by leading politicians, with even Gordon Brown banning bottled water at cabinet meetings.
Search for tap-friendly restaurants in your area
Reader views (3)
Do we really know what's in tap water? Or do we do as we are told and drink the stuff?
- James Colton, Diss Norfolk
Have you really investigated the carbon footprint of the chemically treated tap water in the UK. I think your campaign is very one sided. Perhaps you should look at how the chlorine is made which is then transported to the water authorities, by lorries, for chlorination of their water to make it safe to drink. There is a lot of energy used in this process but only only a little of is used for drinking. Then there is the fluoride which is added and I am sure a lot more chemicals if the truth be known. Now that is what I call a waste of energy! Then there is the leaks and water wastage and the trucks and manpower that are sent to rectify the problems. Not looking so environmentally friendly now is it! Please before you start such projects research the facts and present them faily and then let us make our own minds up!
- D Jones, Hampshire
FYI
in the city of Chicago Il. the city government decided to place a 5 cent tax on bottled water. They are having a hard time trying to understand why bottled water sales are down in the city and up in the surrounding communities.
- David, akron ohio usa
