Tap Tops Flow round London (press release)

2 September 2009

                Embargoed to 00.01am, Thursday 3 September 2009

                       TAP TOPS FLOW ROUND LONDON

Ten thousand water carafes are being given out to restaurants, MPs,
businesses and community groups in London.

Thames  Water  is  also  making  its  stylish  ‘Tap Top’ carafes - designed
specifically  to  serve London’s premium-grade tap water - available to the
Houses of Parliament.

“I  hope  this  encourages  MPs to drink more tap water,” said Thames Water
chief executive David Owens.

Tap  Tops  were  made as part of Thames Water’s award-winning London On Tap
campaign to promote tap water as a viable alternative to bottled brands.

As  well  as  1,000  restaurants, various VIPs, including the Queen and the
Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, will be getting carafes.

Mr Owens added:

“According   to   the  industry’s  water  quality  watchdog,  we  have  the
best-quality water of all the major water and sewerage companies in England
and Wales – and we’ve got a first-class carafe in which to serve it.

“Our London On Tap campaign is helping give consumers the confidence to ask
for  tap  water  when  dining  out. We want to get as many of the capital’s
eateries and bars involved as possible.

“Since  launching  the  carafes  in  May,  we've  had  great  feedback from
restaurateurs who've been using them. Many of their customers say Tap Top's
iconic design makes them more comfortable about choosing tap water.”

Tap  Tops  are  already being used by restaurateur Aldo Zilli, the Imperial
College  Catering,  Radcliffes  Le Brasseur, The Cavendish and the Heathrow
Sheraton.

Tap  Top,  with  its four non-drip pouring spouts forming a traditional tap
head   shape,   can   be   ordered   on   the   London  On  Tap  website  -
www.londonontap.org. For each carafe sold £1 goes to the charity WaterAid.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1.    For more information, images or interview requests please contact Amy
     Dutton  in  the  Thames  Water  press office on 0118 3738935 or email
     amy.dutton@thameswater.co.uk


2.            Images         can         be         downloaded         from
     www.thameswater.co.uk/londonontapgallery and you can follow London On
     Tap on Twitter: www.twitter.com/taptops


3.     The  London On Tap campaign was launched in February 2008 to promote
     the  serving  and  consumption of London's tap water in the capital’s
     thousands  of  restaurants, bars and hotels. Research commissioned by
     the  international  charity  WaterAid revealed in March 2009 that tap
     water is the preferred choice for 63% of people when they dine out.

4.     Tap  Top  was  launched  in  May  2009 to serve tap water across the
     capital, underpinning the city’s commitment to providing high-quality
     drinking  water whilst reducing the environmental impact of packaging
     and transporting bottled water.

5.     In  its annual water quality report, the Drinking Water Inspectorate
     (DWI)  said  that in 2008 Thames Water’s tap water was 99.99 per cent
     compliant  with  national  and  European  standards  –  the company’s
     best-ever  performance  and  the  best  of  all  the  major water and
     sewerage firms in England and Wales for the second year running.

6.     Ten  for Ten is a ten-point plan launched by Thames Water in 2008 to
     benefit disadvantaged customers and community projects. Customers and
     communities  are set to benefit from a £10million fund, financed from
     the  company's profits, which will pay for special projects that fall
     outside day-to-day business activities.

7.     London On Tap was this year awarded ‘National Example of Excellence’
     in   the   Responsible  Marketing  and  Innovation  category  at  the
     prestigious Business in the Community awards.

8.     Each carafe, hand-finished in the South East by Nazeing Glass, costs
     just  £10  (excl  VAT  and delivery), of which £1 goes to the charity
     WaterAid.  The  recycled  glass  icon  is available in four colours –
     blue,   green,  clear  and  frosted  and  can  be  branded  with  any
     organisations logo.

     --

Amy Dutton, MCIPR
Press Officer

www.linkedin.com/in/adutton
www.thameswater.co.uk

Thames Water
Clearwater Court
Vastern Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 8DB

T. 0118 373 8935
M. 07747 640 448

Get all the latest on London On Tap
www.thameswater.co.uk/londonontap