Dispute over free water: Local operators now respond.
A new dispute over the price of tap water in Vienna’s restaurants and cafés has erupted after the Chamber of Labour (AK) criticized businesses for charging customers for ordinary tap water.
The AK recently carried out a sample survey of 30 restaurants and cafés in Vienna. It found that only three establishments offered tap water for free, while customers were charged as much as €3.60 for half a liter at some locations.
Thomas Peschta, gastronomy spokesperson of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, has strongly criticized the survey. He argued that conclusions about Vienna’s entire restaurant industry cannot fairly be drawn from just 30 businesses out of around 8,000 establishments.
Peschta also rejected the idea that restaurants should be expected to provide tap water free of charge. He said businesses have their own costs, including water, staff and rent. According to him, a cubic meter of water costs restaurants around €5 including fees, while additional expenses arise when water is served with ice cubes or a slice of lemon.
He compared the situation with other businesses, arguing that restaurants should not be expected to give products away simply because the basic ingredient is inexpensive. Peschta stressed that restaurants also have to cover their operating costs and that consumers already pay for the water they use at home.
However, Peschta said many Viennese restaurant owners are more accommodating than the AK survey suggests. According to him, many establishments charge only a small amount when customers order nothing except tap water.
He added that the situation is different when customers order food or other drinks. In such cases, he claims, most restaurants will provide a glass or jug of tap water free of charge alongside the order.
The debate highlights a wider disagreement between consumer advocates and the hospitality industry over what customers should reasonably expect from restaurants. While the AK has raised concerns about high charges for tap water, Vienna’s gastronomy representatives argue that businesses should be free to charge for the service and costs involved in providing it.