A tourist's request for tap water at a hotel restaurant in the Italian Dolomites has led to a landmark ruling by Italy's highest court, which decided that serving tap water is not a consumer right. The case, which began in 2019, involved a woman staying at a five-star hotel in Corvara, Badia, over Christmas and New Year. She had a half-board deal with evening meals included, but drinks were extra.
The Dispute Over Tap Water
According to Italian press reports, the woman repeatedly asked for tap water with her dinner, even offering to pay. However, each night she found a 0.75-litre bottle of mineral water, costing €7, placed on her table. She complained about being denied the opportunity to consume tap water and being forced to purchase bottled water, as reported by Corriere Alto Adige.
Legal Arguments
The woman argued that water is a natural resource and a universal human right, and that a minimum vital quantity should be provided free of charge to meet essential needs. She considered tap water an integral part of restaurant service, akin to a bed with sheets, a warm room, and soap in the bathroom. She sought €2,700 in compensation for economic damage and emotional distress.
Both the first and second-instance courts dismissed her case. She then appealed to the Supreme Court of Cassation, which confirmed that no Italian law obliges restaurant managers or hoteliers to serve customers tap water. The court dismissed the case, upholding the lower courts' decisions.
Context in Italian Dining
In Italy, asking for free tap water at a restaurant is generally considered a breach of etiquette, especially if the server has already offered bottled water. However, customer attitudes are changing, with many seeking to avoid plastic waste, and more restaurants now offer filtered water.
