The Horesca federation calls for support of businesses who want to try offering tap water on the menu.  Photo: Shutterstock

The Horesca federation calls for support of businesses who want to try offering tap water on the menu.  Photo: Shutterstock

Luxembourg’s hospitality federation Horesca will start a pilot project to introduce tap water on menus.

The topic of tap water in restaurants and cafés has sparked debate in Luxembourg--where bottled water is the norm--leading in 2019 to a petition and parliamentary debate. While the government had decided not to legislate on the issue, it said it would encourage businesses through an awareness campaign.

A pilot test by Horesca will soon start, with 50 local businesses offering tap water as an option. The Horesca has ordered a few hundred glass jugs to be filled up and served to customers when asked, the secretary general of the federation, , told RTL.

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Déi Lénk in a motion have demanded that tap water has to be offered to patrons. The issue with bottled water is effectively the energy consumption and CO2 emissions linked to the bottling of water, deputy (déi Lénk) said in an interview with RTL.  

A government campaign--delayed by covid-19--had been announced for Spring 2023. The cost and availability of tap water should be decided by the businesses themselves, the Horesca says. SME that the aim of the tap water pitchers was never to make them free, but to allow customers and restaurateurs to decide.