foodconsumer.org: Tap Tops Flow round London (press release) Tap Tops Flow round London (press release) ================================================================================ admin on 09/07/2009 12:31:00 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