Water drinkers turn to tap after Standard campaign

SALES of bottled water have fallen sharply, new research shows.

Experts say the global recession means customers are less likely to order bottles in restaurants and are drinking tap water at home rather than buying from the supermarket.

The change in habit also follows the Evening Standard's Water On Tap campaign, which calls for all restaurants to serve tap water automatically.

Figures from research firm TNS, reported in The Grocer, show Britons spent £262million on 409 million litres of bottled water last year. This was a nine per cent fall in spending and a seven per cent drop in volume compared with 2007. "Last year's economic crash and a wet summer caused sales to plummet," said Julia Taylor of The Grocer. "The industry also faced attacks from environmentalists."

The research suggests bottled water is becoming less of a fashion accessory for the young. The typical bottle-drinker was aged 45-64. Consumption rose in the week rather than the weekend, suggesting bottles are most popular with workers.