The provision of tap water in Luxembourg restaurants continues to divide opinion, with environmental benefits weighed against practical business concerns in an industry already facing rising operational costs.

The provision of tap water in Luxembourg's restaurants remains far from standard, though awareness campaigns are slowly shifting attitudes. While some establishments now offer it willingly, the decision – and potential pricing – ultimately lies with individual business owners.

The question of whether restaurants should serve tap water has long been contentious. Over the past year, the Luxembourg government and the Federation of Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars (HORESCA) have collaborated on a campaign to encourage its use, framing it as an eco-friendly alternative to bottled water.

Yet despite these efforts, no legal requirement exists. A popular 2019 petition urging mandatory tap water service was ultimately dismissed by the previous government.

Pricing left to restaurants

With half-litre bottles of mineral water typically costing €4-5, the campaign promotes tap water as both cost-saving and sustainable. Participating restaurants even received free jugs as part of the initiative.

However, critics note a glaring omission: the campaign avoids addressing whether customers should pay for tap water, focusing solely on environmental benefits.

Minister of the Economy Lex Delles has clarified that offering tap water – and setting a price for it – is purely at the discretion of businesses. "These are individual commercial decisions," he stated in response to a parliamentary question.

Delles emphasises a light-touch policy, wary of burdening restaurants already grappling with rising operational costs. This aligns with a European directive that merely encourages – but does not require – member states to promote tap water as a free or low-cost option in dining establishments.

"Serving tap water also generates costs for businesses", Delles noted, citing expenses like container maintenance and cleaning. In the minister's view, "the environmental contribution of the measure outweighs the free service."

Though 280 restaurants have joined the government-HORESCA campaign, the minister acknowledged no concrete targets were set to measure uptake. Still, Delles called the outreach a success: "The public is aware, and all HORESCA members have been informed."

For now, the practice remains uneven. Patrons may need to wait before tap water in jugs becomes a reliable fixture on Luxembourg's dining tables.

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