Petitioner David Kieffer wants to guarantee tap water is an option for customers in bars and restaurants in Luxembourg. Shutterstock

Petitioner David Kieffer wants to guarantee tap water is an option for customers in bars and restaurants in Luxembourg. Shutterstock

Petition 1319 was launched by David Kieffer, co-founder of Refill Lëtzebuerg, an initiative to get people to use reusable bottles and make tap water more readily available for this purpose in a bid to reduce waste linked to “conserve our planets and our wallets”. 

The local initiative has already “tapped” into the Refill app, which provides a map for users in certain countries to see where they can find refill stations. Although several gastronomy sites have agreed to participate in the initiative--visible by the Refill sticker on their doors or windows--Kieffer thinks more can be done. 

In the petition, Kieffer makes the case that “tons of glass and plastic bottles are transported through the country (and Europe)”, despite the fact that Luxembourg residents have access to high-quality water already. 

He says it’s time Luxembourg introduce such a law to this effect, citing France as a good example of where tap water is already guaranteed by the law. 

“With a simple law, a huge part of water transport and import could be reduced,” he adds. 

While Kieffer does not specify in the petition text whether there should be a charge for the tap water, organisers from Refill Lëtzebuerg told Delano, “We are no hardliners on this. The availability is the main goal, whether at the cost of…[for example], 50 cents, or free.” 

The petition only opened for signatures today but if it receives the required 4,500 signatures by 30 August, it will be debated in parliament. To sign petition 1319, visit the Chamber of Deputies petition forum.  

Updated on 18 July with information about charge.