New app developed to help Dubai and Abu Dhabi choose local water

Idrinklocal shows a map of restaurants and then users can indicate to others whether the establishment serves local water or not.

The app is developed by Jae-Yong Hwang, right, and his agency MBLM, which William Shintani heads. Reem Mohammed / The National

DUBAI // A new website and application aims to give diners the lowdown on which restaurants serve locally sourced bottled water.

Idrinklocal shows a map of restaurants, on which users can indicate whether the establishment serves local water.

The website and app, which is available for iPhone and Android, was developed by Jae-Yong Hwang and his branding agency MBLM in Dubai.

“It isn’t a commercial exercise, this isn’t a client engagement,” Mr Hwang said. “This was something that was solely conceived, developed and nurtured by our agency.

“We wanted to know how to bring about social change so we developed the website.”

The UAE has assured residents that tap water is safe to drink and several campaigns have promoted its use, but residents are still cautious and prefer bottled water.

On average, a bottle of imported water costs four times more than a bottle of local water. Many restaurants avoid complying with price standards for bottled water by offering only imported water, at a much higher price.

Transporting imported water also has heavier environmental effects, the app’s developers say. Water is flown in from as far away as Fiji – 14,000 kilometres.

The idea for the Idrinklocal app started when Mr Hwang, an American who grew up in Saudi Arabia, noticed that fewer restaurants – both high-end and low-end – were serving local water in this country.

On the map, restaurants serving local water are pinpointed in blue. Red means they only serve imported water, while grey means they have not been rated.

“If we can get enough traction and movement behind it and if we could quantify what we believe is a commonly shared angst, perhaps it would lead to change,” said Mr Hwang.

Caroline Wylie, 27, a Scottish expatriate who uses the app, said she was not used to paying so much for water after coming from a country where tap water is free in restaurants.

“In Scotland we have the best tap water, but it’s not the case here in the desert,” Ms Wylie said. “So this is the next best thing. But when you are forced to spend Dh25 to Dh30 on a bottle of water, that makes me reconsider.”

Tina Carter, a public relations professional from the US, said restaurants serving imported water should be forced to serve local water as well.

“I think it’s really important to have local water on offer,” Ms Carter said. “From a consumer’s perspective, maybe a good-looking bottle could set an ambience, but I just want to stay hydrated. I think it’s also important to support local companies.”