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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Where's the campaign for tap water?

19 replies

Bookcam · 02/09/2012 19:02

I'm increasingly fed up with having to ask testy retailers at motorway service areas to refill my water bottles from the taps at the back of their shops. Hardly anywhere now supplies unbottled drinking water - you know, the environmentally friendly sort that doesn't use seven litres of water to make each one-litre bottle?

I came back parched at 2am from a visit abroad recently and was unable to find any drinking water when I landed at Heathrow. This is uncivilised. Why is it happening? Is it legal? Have the water bottlers been given a guarantee that there will be no competition to their noxious and unnecessary products?

I wouldn't buy bottled water no matter how thirsty I was, but if all the shops are shut, what do you do then? Suppose your kids are dehydrated after a flight or during a long journey?

I think we should be told. More to the point, is anyone up for a public campaign on the subject?

OP posts:

Anonymumous · 02/09/2012 19:04

Buy a can of Coke. It's much more exhilarating than boring old water.

TroublesomeEx · 02/09/2012 19:05

I've no idea but I agree.

I don't buy bottled water unless I'm absolutely desperate. I don't pay for water in pubs either. I don't really drink (might have one glass of wine) so stick to water. I've never had anyone refuse me tap water but I think that's just because they assume I'm poverty stricken and pity me .

I'm not so moralistic that I wouldn't buy it if I was thirsty, but I would certainly do so begrudgingly.

FourEyesGold · 02/09/2012 19:05

It wouldn't occur to me to ask a retailer to fill my water bottle. That's MY responsibility!

TroublesomeEx · 02/09/2012 19:06

I wouldn't ask a retailer, that's a bit rude, but I definitely think water should be more available.

MarshaBrady · 02/09/2012 19:07

This was one. Might be over now, and seems to be only London.

WorraLiberty · 02/09/2012 19:08

There's definitely a lack of council juice available to the public now.

When I was a kid, there were water fountains everywhere...even in the streets and shopping precincts.

SpiritInMotionDaddyman · 02/09/2012 19:08

I prefer beer.

BananaPie · 02/09/2012 19:09

I agree - I was in the states on holiday recently and was really struck by the number of drinking fountains in public places - it was great for filling up our bottles of water.

TheCrackFox · 02/09/2012 19:21

Drinking fountains are a good idea.

However, I think you're taking the piss asking a shop assistant to get you some water from the back as they could well get the sack for leaving their till unattended.

RubberBullets · 02/09/2012 19:32

After watching someone throw up over a drinking fountain on a night out I would never use one.

I much prefer the taste of tap water to bottled water and that is what I drink 99% of the time.

GetOrfAKAMrsUsainBolt · 02/09/2012 19:36

Why wouldn't you buy bottled water (or any other drink for that matter) if you were desperately thirsty?

I am all for drinking tap water when possible but think being a martyr about it is a bit much tbh.

Markingthehours · 02/09/2012 19:36

I think OP meant assistant in cafe where drinks were sold rather than shop.

TalkinPeace2 · 02/09/2012 19:38

Airside in airports like Heathrow it is OFFENSIVE that the only water is expensive or hot.
I tend to rant at the staff till they go fill my bottle in their washroom - with me watching at the door

WorraLiberty · 02/09/2012 19:40

Actually it is a cheek to ask people to refill your water bottles.

It's different if you ask for a glass of tap water because they can charge you if they wish, for the use of the glass.

I doubt they'd want to run around after people filling their empty water bottles for free.

WorraLiberty · 02/09/2012 19:41

I tend to rant at the staff till they go fill my bottle in their washroom - with me watching at the door

I think my reply to your 'rant' would be "Off, right, fuck...please re-arrange these words"...

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 02/09/2012 19:42

There are fountains all over the place in Canadian airports. The Canucks are obsessed with carrying their own water bottles everywhere.

GetOrfAKAMrsUsainBolt · 02/09/2012 19:42

How much is a bottle of water at Heathrow then - a quid, two quid?

Yes there should probably be water fountains but I don't think it is a great big offense that there is not.

If you are flying from Heathrow presumably you can afford to fork out for a bottle of drink - I know that is not the point, but still.

TheCrackFox · 02/09/2012 19:43

Cafes are not charity, they are there to make a profit. If you want a drink of water you need to buy something else at the same time.

TalkinPeace2 · 02/09/2012 20:56

the cafes are not open when one is catching the early flight to the USA
and the shops are not allowed to give out free water
there used to be a drinking fountain but it was removed as BAA decided to make more money selling water
and yet getting dehydrated is a known health issue on long haul flights ....

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