Tap Water

According to a report by market research institute Euromonitor International*, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute. By drinking tap water in a restaurant, guests avoid packaging, transport emissions and waste, choosing – consciously or unconsciously – the most sustainable way to consume a beverage.

In countries such as France, the Netherlands and the UK, restaurants offer guests free tap water (carafe d’eau, table water). In France, this is even required by law. In Austria, a free glass of tap water is commonly served with coffee, but offering a free carafe at the table is not yet standard practice. Nor is there currently a legal entitlement to a free glass of water.

Legislation leaves businesses considerable freedom in this regard: there are no specific requirements, and each establishment can decide whether or not to charge for tap water.

There are many arguments in favour of offering tap water free of charge. For example, it can enhance a business's reputation and credibility when it comes to environmental and climate protection among key stakeholder groups such as guests and employees. A study published by the Austrian National Tourist Office in early 2023** found that 23% of the German target group would be willing to pay significantly more for sustainable accommodation at a holiday hotel in Austria. For the first time, the study identified specific services and corresponding price premiums by holiday type and level of sustainability awareness, including food and waste management.

Restaurant operators often associate offering free tap water with lost revenue and additional costs. A cost analysis by the Austrian Economic Chamber found that serving a glass of tap water costs an average of 75 cents. This figure includes the cost of the water itself (less than one cent per glass), as well as staff, cleaning, rental and energy costs, and VAT. No profit margin is included in this calculation.

A new EU Drinking Water Directive aims to encourage restaurants to offer free tap water with orders in order to reduce plastic waste. However, this is only a recommendation, not a legal obligation to provide free water.

Nevertheless, in times of climate and environmental crises, businesses should increasingly align themselves with international service standards and offer guests high-quality tap water in carafes. If a contribution towards costs is charged, it should be as affordable as possible and calculated without a profit margin (see the Austrian Economic Chamber's cost calculation example). Where applicable, both the menu and service staff should inform guests about this charge.

Sources

*Utopia.de and Euromonitor

**ACB conjoint study on sustainability aspects in hotel selection, conducted by the Austrian National Tourist Office and Ipsos. Sample: 959 people in Germany aged 18–69 who either plan to holiday in Austria or have visited Austria within the past three years.

Links:
Austrian National Tourist Office Study
Austrian Economic Chamber: Cost of Tacp Water Compared with Other Beverages