A proposal to make free tap water a legal requirement in Jersey’s pubs and bars is due to be debated later this month.
Deputy Alex Curtis has lodged an amendment to the proposed new alcohol licensing law, which would require on-licensed premises to provide tap water without charge to any customer who asks for it, “unless it cannot easily be supplied”.
The St Clement representative noted that it “may come as a surprise” to islanders that Jersey’s current licensing law does not oblige on-licence holders to offer free tap water.
He said that while most customers find water is “happily provided”, there have been “rare occasions” where requests have been denied.
Deputy Curtis pointed out that the UK introduced a mandatory condition in 2010 requiring free tap water to be provided on request where it is reasonably available, adding that many other jurisdictions have similar provisions.
A review of Jersey’s Licensing Law in 2009 referred to “anecdotal evidence that some licensed premises refuse to provide ordinary drinking water (tap water) to people in order to maintain their profit margin”.
The panel at that time indicated it would consider including a provision in the law or as a licensing condition if it was deemed a problem.
Deputy Curtis’s amendment includes what he describes as a “reasonableness” clause, recognising that there may be temporary or permanent situations where water cannot be supplied, such as where a supply has been disconnected or where there is a private water source.
In conclusion, he argues that placing the requirement in primary legislation would make responsibilities “clear and easy to find for all involved” and give customers greater confidence in requesting tap water.