Is it illegal for a restaurant to charge for tap water?

Is it illegal for a restaurant to charge for tap water?
Is there a gov site or something I can read?

Is it illegal for a restaurant to charge for tap water?

Nope, 'fraid not.

Reading articles that says it's illegal and then there's sites saying by law it's not illegal.
Anyone know a gov site or a phone number to call and ask about it?

My partner works in a restaraunt/bar and he says they by law have to offer FREE tap water over bottled water...

I believe they only have to offer free tap water if alcohol is served/permitted on premises.

I believe (but I could be wrong) that the controversy has arisen recently because some restaurants were only offering expensive bottled water. If a patron asked for tap water, they were told that it was not the restaurant's policy to serve it. However, I think this is a completely separate issue from whether or not the tap water should be free. I've heard of some places charging 20p a glass - still not free, but significantly less than a serving of bottled water.

So I'm fairly sure it's legal. Good practice? Nope. But legal.

It's not illegal - they have to pay water rates the same as everyone else so I guess they think it's fair to pass the cost on to the customer. They should state on the menu what the charge is, or tell you on ordering, otherwise, contractually you're not bound to pay for it. Having said all that  I can't recall ever being charged for it.

I worked for a coffee shop here in Belfast and while they didn't charge for tap water, they did charge for hot water for things such as the customer's own tea bag or to take away.  It was only like 15p and it was probably just to cover the costs of the water and the heating.  

I never heard of it being illegal though to charge for tap water.  The restaurant where I work now offers water for free, so who knows.  

Doesn't Yo Sushi charge for tap water?  I would think that if a big chain does it, they researched the legalities first. 

http://www.ccwater.org.uk/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.1567 It looks like it does depend on if alcohol is served or not.

http://www.ccwater.org.uk/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.1567 It looks like it does depend on if alcohol is served or not.

If the restaurant serve alcohol means they can't charge for tap water?

or

If customer is not serve alcohol but just ask for tap water does it make a difference?
Can they be charge?

"Condition 3. Free Tap Water for Customers
Many premises already offer free tap water. This condition means that all premises have to give
customers tap water for free if they ask for it. This helps people to space out their drinks and not
become intoxicated quickly, which reduces the risk of crime and disorder occurring.
The tap water you provide should be suitable for drinking and must be provided where reasonably
available.
What is meant by “reasonably available” is a question of fact; for example, it would not be
reasonable to expect free tap water to be available in premises for which the water supply had
temporarily been lost because of a broken mains supply."

http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/assets/files/New%20mandatory%20licensing%20conditions%20-%20Home%20Office%20April%202010.pdf

I would interpret it to mean customers need to be given free tap water..I would say they must be a customer though, so if they didn't order anything else and only ordered tap water that wouldn't make them a customer.

Ooops, I was wrong! The law went into effect in April of last year as part of a series of amendments to the Licensing Act 2003. All licensed establishments in England and Wales must provide free tap water. Along with the other additions to the Act, this was designed to prevent people becoming overly intoxicated.

Click here to read the actual legislation.