BII encourages members to tap into wateraid

The BII encourage tap water donations to be collected for WaterAid

The BII are proud to support the Tap into WaterAid initiative, an easy and cost free way for the licensed retail businesses to support the work of WaterAid in getting safe water to those living without it.

At the BII annual lunch this year, BII support for Tap into WaterAid was launched. Neil Robertson, Chief Executive of BII explains:

“A new mandatory code for alcohol retailing took effect from 6th April and all alcohol retailers are now required to provide their patron’s with free tap water. Licensees who opt into supporting Tap into WaterAid encourage their customers to donate 15 pence to the scheme when they order tap water. All of the money raised goes towards WaterAid’s life saving work helping communities gain access to safe water and sanitation throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific Region. It’s a great initiative which we are delighted to support and we are sure members will want to get involved.“

WaterAid, in partnership with the BII and pub industry newspaper The Publican, hope to raise over £50,000 by April next year. Please help by getting involved today. It is completely free to get involved and you can sign up here or drop an email to tapintowateraid@wateraid.org

More than 300 pubs, cafes, and restaurants are already signed up to Tap into WaterAid and pub companies SA Brain and Charles Wells are amongst those that have already pledged their support.

Getting involved couldn’t be easier, you can either use collection tins on the bar or add voluntary donations to customers’ bills.

Stuart Wraith, licensee at the Fools Nook in Macclesfield, Cheshire explains “This is a great chance to make something really positive out of the new code and help people who don’t have clean water on tap. It's going really well so far and our customers have given it a very warm welcome. It’s a no brainer really – water here means water there. I truly hope all UK pubs unite and show what a positive difference we make and make the very best out of the new legislation”

WaterAid corporate account manager Cara Keane said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the BII’s support for Tap into WaterAid and truly hope that all their members feel inspired to get involved.

“It costs just £15 for WaterAid to bring safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to someone in poverty, so the momentum we could create with the help of the BII could literally change lives.”

• 884 million people, one in eight of the world's population, do not have access to safe, clean water and 2.6 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation.
 
• At least 4000 children die every day as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation.
 
• Just £15 can enable one person to access safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation
 
• To sign up today visit: www.tapintowateraid.org/thepublican