Stop splashing out on bottled water

Most people think that restaurants overcharge for bottled water, so don't be embarrassed to ask for tap, says The Good Food Guide - particularly in these cost-conscious times.

87% of those surveyed by Which?, publisher of The Good Food Guide, think that restaurants charge too much for water. Claridges launched 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.

A fifth of respondents said they feel embarrassed when asking for tap water when eating out. Though restaurants are not legally obliged to provide free tap water, nearly all will do so, including Claridges. Several café and restaurant chains have pledged to serve tap water on request.

Not only is tap water cheaper, it doesn't actually taste that different. Half the survey respondents said they can't taste the difference between bottled and tap water. In fact, 18% actually prefer the taste from the tap.

Elizabeth Carter, consultant editor, 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."