Bottled Water VAT to Rise from 5.5% to 20%: What It Means for Consumers

Across Europe, bottled water — long seen as a symbol of purity and convenience — is facing growing scrutiny. In France, lawmakers recently voted to increase VAT on bottled water as part of a wider environmental debate. The proposal has reignited discussion across the continent about plastic waste, resource management and whether taxation can genuinely influence consumer behaviour.

Supporters argue that higher taxes on bottled water could encourage people to choose mains tap water instead. Critics, however, warn of increased pressure on household budgets during an already challenging cost-of-living period. The debate goes far beyond pricing — it touches on environmental responsibility, public trust and the future of water consumption.

Why is bottled water under pressure?

The sector has faced growing criticism in recent years. Investigations into labelling and purification practices — including high-profile coverage by BBC News, Reuters and The Guardian — have raised questions about how some mineral waters are processed and marketed.

In particular, revelations concerning purification methods used by major producers have prompted renewed debate about transparency and consumer expectations. You can read our detailed breakdown here:

What the Nestlé bottled water case reveals about purification and labelling

These developments have strengthened arguments that bottled water should not automatically benefit from favourable tax treatment — especially when environmental costs are taken into account.

Environmental impact: bottled vs tap

One of the strongest arguments for fiscal reform is environmental impact. Bottled water requires plastic production, packaging, transport and retail storage. By contrast, UK mains water is delivered directly through an established infrastructure.

While figures vary depending on source and transport distance, multiple environmental assessments show that bottled water typically carries a significantly higher carbon footprint than tap water, largely due to packaging and distribution.

In the UK, policy measures such as the Plastic Packaging Tax and the planned Deposit Return Scheme reflect growing efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste. Taxation on bottled water is part of a broader conversation about aligning consumer prices with environmental realities.

Is tap water completely risk-free?

In the UK, tap water is strictly regulated and routinely monitored by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and local suppliers. In most cases, it is safe, reliable and far more environmentally sustainable than bottled alternatives.

However, no system is entirely immune to issues. Localised contamination events, ageing plumbing, agricultural runoff and industrial residues can occasionally affect water quality at a regional or household level.

Reports across Europe have also highlighted the presence of emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane and PFAS in certain groundwater sources. While levels are typically monitored and regulated, these findings have contributed to growing public awareness about long-term exposure to low-dose pollutants.

If you’re concerned about potential contamination, you may find this guide helpful:

What are the risks linked to tap water contamination and how can you reduce them?

Tax policy: environmental lever or financial tool?

The wider question remains: should governments use taxation to steer environmental behaviour?

Increasing the cost of bottled water may reduce plastic consumption, but it may also disproportionately affect households that rely on bottled water due to taste concerns, local infrastructure issues or personal preference.

A more comprehensive approach might involve reinvesting tax revenue into:

• Modernising water infrastructure
• Strengthening monitoring systems
• Improving public transparency on water quality
• Encouraging sustainable home filtration solutions

Without broader systemic reform, fiscal changes risk being perceived as revenue-raising measures rather than environmental progress.

So what is the safest choice?

On one side, bottled water faces increasing environmental and fiscal pressure. On the other, tap water — while generally safe — is not always trusted by every household.

For many families, filtration offers a practical middle ground.

At Weeplow, our gravity-fed filtration systems combine hollow fibre membranes with activated carbon to reduce bacteria such as E. coli, as well as heavy metals, chlorine and agricultural residues — without requiring electricity.

You simply fill the upper chamber with tap water, and gravity allows it to pass through the filters into the lower chamber, ready to drink.

Explore our gravity water filtration systems

Moving beyond bottled water

Whether or not fiscal changes are adopted more widely across Europe, one trend is clear: consumers are reassessing their relationship with bottled water.

Environmental impact, corporate transparency, public health considerations and household budgets are now closely intertwined. The real challenge lies in finding solutions that protect both the planet and long-term health — without compromising trust.

Reducing reliance on single-use plastic while ensuring high-quality drinking water at home may ultimately prove to be the most balanced response.