Restaurants and Filtered Tap Water

There is a growing backlash against the use of bottled mineral water. Restaurants in the UK have come under fire for supposedly “pushing” expensive bottled water on their customers – some of whom reportedly feel a little awkward about asking for tap water.

Various media campaigns have been launched recently to encourage people to opt for free tap water in restaurants.

A campaign by the London Evening Standard apparently won the support of top chefs such as Antony Worrall Thompson, Jamie Oliver and Tom Aikens.

But there is a conflict here.

People go to restaurants to enjoy something special.

What these media campaigns might be missing is the fact that many people are opting out of bottled water not because of the cost so much as the environmental damage caused by bottled water.

In the UK about three billion bottles of water a year are consumed - half a billion of which come from abroad - and they all have to be transported to the restaurants, pubs and shops where they are sold.

Besides the environmental costs of making the bottles - and the difficulties of their disposal, transportation of bottled water in Britain alone produces over 33,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. This is equivalent energy used by over 6,000 homes.

As we all become more aware of environmental issues, more and more people are feeling uncomfortable about drinking bottled water.

And there is arguably a resentment factor aimed at services which don't reflect their concerns.

Here's a possible solution:

Offer Your Customers Purified Water

A great solution for restaurants bars and pubs could be to offer filtered tap water to their clients. These can be presented in customised bottles or served in glass jugs with lemon. Charging could be optional. There are Three options to consider

Option One

They give a flow rate of between 1.5 to 3 Litres a minute – depending on local water pressure. If faster delivery is required small pumps can also be supplied.

They simply fit below a counter. A special tap above the counter serves the water with two lever settings. Push and hold or constant flow. In this way your staff can leave a large jug filling while they perform other tasks.

The filter completely remove the taste of chlorine and create a sweeter taste to everyday tap water.

Carbonation for the bottled filtered water is also possible.

These are very easy to fit DIY level units. The cartridges need replacing every 6 months at a cost of £13.95 each. We send reminders.

Cost is£59 incl VAT, one cartridge and delivery

Option Two

Another option is to filter the water using reverse osmosis.

This gives you a higher quality filtration. Many afficionados swear by it.

They are more expensive to buy and the cartridge replacement costs are about £25 every 6 months.

Carbonation for the bottled filtered water is also possible.

These are very easy to fit DIY level units. The cartridges need replacing every 6 months at a cost of £13.95 each. We send reminders.

However the simpler carbon block filters in Option 1 above are frankly just as good. Our taste tests have proven to us that people cannot tell the difference between carbon filtered and reverse osmosis water.

Costs £197 incl VAT, one set cartridges and delivery

Option Three

Alternatively all the water in your restaurant can be filtered and softened.

The water filter will remove chlorine and other contaminants from all your taps. So your chef can cook without chlorinated water.

And you can fill up your water bottles with purified water more efficiently.

The softener will help remove unsightly water marks on glass and plates.

What is required

This option requires a carbon filter and a water softener being plumbed in to the water supply.

This would take a plumber about 3 hours to do.

The space taken is approx a cubic meter. Both units should easily fit inside the average kitchen undercounter cupboard.

Your water pressure will decrease by about 7 to 10 % max

Other benefits of water softeners in restaurants

It will save on use of detergents

Plus protect your water using equipment and appliances

This is because most city waters contain hard water, sediment, minerals and other dissolved solids. Unsoftened water can play a major role in the clogging, and breakdown of some of your most important equipment and appliances by creating hard water scale build-up in dishwashers, steamers and espresso machines, and reduce the efficiency of ice machines.

If you already have a softener that's no problem. We would simply supply the filter that removes the chlorine and other impurities.

Please don’t hesitate to call us on 0845 120 6369 for further information and advice.