Italy’s top court rules against tourist refused tap water in Dolomites hotel

Woman argued water was a universal human right but court found no law in Italy obliged hoteliers to serve it from taps

A tourist’s simple request for a glass of tap water at a hotel restaurant in the Italian Dolomites has culminated in Italy’s top court ruling that being served water from the tap is not a consumer right, after a lengthy and costly legal saga.

The case dates back to 2019 when the woman spent a week at the five-star hotel in the ski resort of Corvara, in Badia, over Christmas and new year. She was on a half-board deal with the evening meal included, except for drinks.

According to Italian press reports, the woman repeatedly asked for tap water with her meal, even offering to pay for it. This was refused and instead she arrived at dinner each night to find a 0.75-litre bottle of mineral water, costing €7, on the table.

During her stay, the tourist complained about “constantly being denied the opportunity to consume tap water, and instead being forced to purchase bottled water”, Corriere Alto Adige reported, citing court papers.

The woman then pursued legal action, arguing water was “a natural resource and a universal human right” and that “the free provision of a minimum vital quantity is necessary to meet essential needs and must be guaranteed”, Corriere wrote.

The woman considered tap water to be an integral part of the service at a restaurant or hotel, “much like finding a bed with sheets, a warm room and soap in the bathroom”.

She sought €2,700 in compensation for the “economic damage and emotional distress” suffered.

The first and second-instance courts dismissed her case and the woman then appealed to the supreme court of cassation. That court confirmed there was no law in Italy obliging restaurant managers or hoteliers to serve customers tap water, and dismissed the case too.

Asking for free tap water at a restaurant in Italy is generally considered a breach of etiquette, especially if the server has already offered the choice of a bottle of natural or sparkling water. But customers are becoming bolder, with many seeking to avoid using plastic, and more restaurants now offer filtered water.