Should you ever have to pay for a glass of tap water in cafes or restaurants? It's a question that sparks off some serious debate among diners.
One of these, Grainne McGarvey, 32, is a self-employed businesswoman who was rather surprised when her request for tap water was refused in a Belfast eatery.
Ms McGarvey was having lunch with a friend when she was informed that a no tap water rule was company policy at The Pump House.
“They said I couldn't have a glass of tap water, adding that there was bottled water and a range of other drinks available,” recalled Grainne.
“I was shocked when I heard that.
“This has never happened to me before and I didn't think cafes could actually do that.”
Gerard Maskey, who owns the premises on Duncrue Road - which does not sell alcohol - said the decision not to make tap water available was intended to keep prices down.
“Nothing is free, it's just charged in a different way, and if you go to an expensive restaurant you will be paying for your water,” explained Mr Maskey.
“This is a no-frills restaurant and our view is that we want to keep food prices as low as possible for our customers.
“If you give tap water away the labour on it would equate to an extra wage a day, and you have to factor labour costs into it.”
He added: “If you want something you have to pay for it, and that's something everyone should just accept.”
The Consumer Council for Water said the Government has updated rules requiring establishments to have free tap water available wherever alcohol is sold.
“If they serve alcohol they have to give you free tap water,” confirmed a Consumer Council spokeswoman.
Northern Ireland consumer lawyer Fiona Donnelly said the cafe in question, therefore, had done nothing wrong in this case.
“I cannot think of any way the establishment would be obliged to serve tap water,” she said.
Meanwhile, if you're still confused, you can download a free app called Water Water Everywhere, which shows locations across the UK where users can ask for free tap water.– Belfast Telegraph