SINGAPORE: A Reddit user has launched a petition on Change.org calling for the mandatory provision of free tap water at all dine-in food and beverage (F&B) establishments in Singapore, particularly those that impose a service charge.
Posted on 24 May, the petition argues that access to plain water should be considered a “basic service” and should be included in the costs already borne by customers at such establishments.
In his Reddit post, the user shared his experience dining at Carnivore, a Brazilian BBQ buffet, with his wife and children.
Despite paying $45++ per adult, they were not offered complimentary water and had to pay an additional $5++ per person for free-flow drinks — a practice he felt went too far.
Motivated by this experience and a broader concern over the rising number of eateries charging for a basic necessity, he decided to speak out and start the petition.
He described the move as pro-consumer and argued that providing free tap water would also bring public health and environmental benefits.
In some Asian countries, offering free water is the norm. In Thailand, most food stalls provide filtered drinking water at no charge. In South Korea, many restaurants offer complimentary water, with signs indicating that customers are free to help themselves.
Similarly, in Japan, offering tap water for free is standard practice in restaurants and is considered part of their hospitality. In Taiwan, free water is also commonly provided in eateries.
In Malaysia, if a restaurant charges customers for a glass of water, the fee should not exceed 30 sen, according to an agreement between consumer groups and a restaurant operators’ association.
In 2021, the government cracked down on high-end restaurants, fast food outlets, franchises, and eateries, including stalls, that charged RM1 or more for a glass of water.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, there is no standard practice for providing free water, as tap water is generally undrinkable. However, some eateries do offer complimentary water.
Rising Trend of Charging for Water
The petitioner pointed out that in recent years, more F&B outlets have begun charging customers for tap water.
Citing a Straits Times report, the petition noted that the proportion of eateries charging for water doubled between 2013 and 2015, reaching around 10 per cent.
A 2018 survey of restaurants in VivoCity also found that more than half of the outlets charged between 30 cents and $1 for a glass of tap water.
The petitioner described this trend—driven by operational cost considerations and beverage sales strategies—as becoming increasingly normalised.
The petition argued that in a country where tap water is clean, safe, and readily available, it is unjustified to restrict access to it, especially at establishments that already impose a 10 per cent service charge.
It urged the Government to mandate that all dine-in F&B establishments provide free-flow tap water to customers at no additional cost.
A Case for Free Tap Water: Health, Environment, and Consumer Fairness
From a public health standpoint, the petition noted that Singaporeans consume an average of 2,410 kilocalories per day, with 61 percent of the population exceeding their recommended intake in 2022.
Drinking water during meals can promote a sense of fullness and may help reduce the amount of food consumed, contributing to healthier calorie control.
The petition also referenced national health initiatives such as the Health Promotion Board’s “Siu Dai by Default” campaign and Nutri-Grade labelling, both of which aim to reduce sugar consumption and encourage water intake.
It argued that making plain water easily accessible supports these goals and discourages the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
On the environmental front, the petition highlighted that Singapore has the highest per capita bottled water consumption in the world, with 1,129 litres consumed per person each year.
By offering tap water, the petitioner argued, eateries can help reduce bottled water sales and, in turn, lower single-use plastic waste and associated environmental harm.
Economically, the petitioner asserted that providing tap water is feasible and fair.
Tap water in Singapore is potable and inexpensive, and F&B outlets that already charge a service fee can absorb the minimal cost of serving plain water.
The petition also argued that charging for water may pressure customers into buying drinks, which undermines both public health objectives and consumer fairness.
It is recommended that all dine-in F&B establishments imposing a service charge be required to provide free-flow tap water at no extra cost.
The petitioner believes this strikes a reasonable balance between supporting business operations and serving the public interest.
As of 27 May, more than 630 people had signed the petition.
Netizens Divided Over Petition for Free Tap Water at Eateries
Reactions to the Reddit post promoting free tap water at dine-in F&B establishments were mixed, with some netizens expressing support while others remained sceptical.
Several users agreed with the petitioner’s view that tap water should be considered a basic service, especially in places that already charge a 10% service fee.
One commenter said that, at the very least, tap water should be offered at a nominal price.
Another recalled how free tap water was once the norm in Singapore’s F&B scene.
They noted that restaurants used to provide free tap water, but over time, this practice was phased out.
Establishments began charging 30 cents for free-flow water, and more recently, many now charge 30 cents per cup.
“End of the day, they just wanna earn more money,” the user said.
Drawing comparisons with practices in other parts of the world, one user pointed out that many European countries legally require restaurants to provide free tap water upon request.
They described charging for tap water as an exploitative and economically inefficient practice, adding that if a business needs to charge for free water to survive, “it is a parasite and shouldn’t exist”.
A former F&B server also weighed in, saying they remembered that as long as a restaurant charged a 10% service fee, it usually provided free water and condiments.
On the other hand, some netizens argued that such a policy would not work well in Singapore.
They expressed concern that people might take more water than necessary if it were offered freely.
Some also highlighted that providing water is not without cost, citing the effort and resources needed to serve, clear, and wash the cups.
However, others pushed back on this point, arguing that these expenses should already be covered by the 10% service charge imposed.
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