The Government of Wallonia promised four years ago that it would force restaurants to provide free water for all customers, but has now made a U-turn, confirming the promise will not be fulfilled.
Unlike in France, where the free carafe of tap water is an institution, or in Britain, where licensed premises are required by law to provide “free drinkable water”, owners of Belgian restaurants and cafés are not obliged to offer their customers a free glass of water, as there is no law or directive that obliges them to do so.
In its 2019 policy statement, the Walloon Government was looking to break away from this tradition of not offering free water and made a promise that it would require the catering industry in its region to start doing so.
However, the regional obligation will not be made after all. The main reason is the fact that, for many in the hospitality industry, selling drinking water is a large source of income. The sector itself is in favour of it being a restaurant's own choice, as it can decide whether it can remain profitable while offering a carafe of water.
Meanwhile, for the Royal Association of the Waters and Soft Drinks Industry (VIWF), free water is even unthinkable.
"Source water companies are not subsidised. The hospitality industry represents about 30% of the total revenue for bottled water," Philip Buisseret, Secretary-General of VIWF, told La Libre Belgique.
Make your own choice
The Walloon Government seems to be listening to the fears of both the catering industry and the companies selling bottled water: the region's Economy Minister Willy Borsus confirmed that he has not and will not take any steps to fulfil the government's promise.
"It is up to the professionals of the hospitality industry to act and make their choice in this matter," Borsus said. "The establishments that want to offer free water can of course do so. There is no obligation."
In some countries where free water is offered to customers, there are other additional costs, such as in Italy where a "coperto" or a cover charge is included in every bill. "There is no such thing as free: someone always pays for it at some point," Borsus concluded.
Related News
- Brussels regulator approves 14.5% rise in tap water prices
- Wallonia to introduce measures to improve drinking water
While the UK has even made it punishable by up to six months in prison to refuse a customer free water, Belgium seems to be far off from changing its habits.
However, in some establishments, owners are starting to offer tap water without charging extra, in part thanks to initiatives such as Free Tap Water In Belgium, which advocates for it to be included in all business models and has created a map of all restaurants in the country where owners serve free tap water.
