Question:
During the hot spell last week the announcer at Westminster Tube wasadvising passengers to carry bottled water with them.

As far as I know the tube has been operating for over 100 yeraswithout any seriious incidents of dehydrated passengers. Have theoperators now lost confidenc in their ability to get people to theirdestination within a reasonable time?

Answer: Might be a good idea if they put vending machins selling bottled wateron the tube rather than the endless chocolate and sugary fizzy drink. Is that motivated purely by H&S considerations or (being cynical) could itbe that bottled water can be charged for (and therefore someone can make aprofit out of those sales) whereas a water fountain cannot easily be madeprofitable?

What is the perceived hazard from having water coming out of a tap, the wayit has done for many decades and the way that it still does in privatehouses? As long as the water comes from the rising main and not from astorage tank, I don't see what the problem is.

As a side thought, I think I am right in saying that in restaurants inFrance, a bottle of water has to be paid for, but if you ask for a jugfulthey are prohibited by law from charging.

I believe so, and I find that a request for "une carafe d'eau" isaccepted more willingly in France than asking for tap water in anEnglish restaurant. I have never been charged for tap water in eithercountry, though I once found a restaurant (Old Siam in Reading) thatrefused to serve it.