Local customers in Romania see with good eyes the obligation of restaurants, canteens and catering services to provide them with drinking water, free of charge: “It will be like in the civilized world”. However, some restaurant owners warn: “The world will take advantage.”
Drinking water will be free at restaurants and bars. PHOTO: Pixabay
Customers of restaurants, canteens and catering services have the obligation from April 15, 2024 to serve water to customers free of charge.
This obligation is provided for in Law 96/2024, which was published on Monday, April 15, 2024, in the Official Gazette.
More precisely, the law requires “free supply of drinking water through the distribution network, for consumers in restaurants, canteens and catering services” (article 16, paragraph 4, letter d).
The law approves Government Ordinance no. 7 of January 18, 2023 regarding the quality of water intended for human consumption, including among the obligations regarding the provision of free drinking water.
Bar owner: 'the world will take advantage of this'
In a reddit discussion around the time the bill first appeared, a bar owner argued that some patrons would abuse the provision: “As the owner of a bar, restaurant and others in Horeca, I can say that I was offering them anyway, so it does not affect, no, nothing. We're just getting back to normal… Totally agree with that and would have proposed the same thing”.
He specified that they do not offer water from the tap, but bottled in 6-liter cans.
“Whether you eat or drink cola, wine, coffee or whiskey for 100 lei a glass, have a glass of mocha water because… it's water. The moment you empty your glass, we bring you another one. The idea is to keep you in the restaurant and to consume what is profitable, not on plain water”he detailed.
The employer drew attention to the fact that the law can be interpreted: “The idea is to offer it to customers, not to anyone who enters the restaurant. Gen comes a waiter, drinks 5 glasses of water while looking at the menu (that he is a customer), then leaves. The menu is not ok at all and we don't have grilled octopus… And I know what I'm saying. The world will take advantage of this”.
“Pensioners came with 5 liter PETs”
One panelist argued that the legal provision can be misused in another way as well. “It's going to be a small sanitary disaster because any client with a womb can go to the authorities about this and those who can't wait to have a reason to visit if you get the idea… It wouldn't be surprising if that's why the law date.”
He related an incident about a boutique shop that installed a 19 liter water dispenser for customers. Of course, for free, “let the world be satisfied.” “Eh, pensioners started showing up with 5 liter PETs to get mocha water, that one got to putting in 3-4 cans a day and 300 plastic cups until he got stuck and gave up on the idea. The pensioners made a crisis that where is the water, he told them that the vending machine was broken and it was being repaired, that's it, and now after 6 months they ask him one by one when he brings it back…. This is the man“, he recounted.
Customers: “Like in the civilized world”
Most commenters said it's a welcome idea, even if some restaurants and bars probably won't implement it.
“We have to draft a law for something like this, in the West they bring you a carafe of water and put it on your table directly. But let's not forget that we are the most welcoming and warm-hearted people on this earth!“, writes an internet user.
Another member of the platform claims that “in the civilized world” the rule has long been applied: “In England, in any restaurant you go to, the tap water is from the house. And in Germany there is a law, but some people pretend they don't know”.
“Perfect! It was the case. Although the restaurants will clearly be against it… in Romania, that business model based on a large pizza for 15 lei (to make you thirsty) and a Dornă 0.33 for 12 lei is very trendy”claims another participant in the discussion.
A Romanian living in Canada claims that he has never paid for water at a restaurant. “For me it is unthinkable when I go to Europe and see 2 euros on the bill for a bottle of water”.
Mandatory notice: “This establishment offers, upon request and free of charge, drinking tap water”
At the same time, according to the project, public authorities and catering companies – bars, restaurants, cafes, etc. – will have the obligation to display in a place accessible and visible to the public the following notice: “This unit offers, on request and free of charge, drinking water from the tap”.
According to the law, they will also have the obligation to provide, upon request and free of charge, drinking water from the tap:
a) central and local public administration authorities and institutions for the persons present in their offices;
b) economic operators that offer public catering services for their own customers;
c) the employer for employees.
