I wonder if I might put the organisers point of view on this subject. We have about two hundred performers on site and on stage at various times at Shrewsbury. We use marquees and to be providing jugs of water would be a full time job for several stewards. Bottled water comes in its own container and we have no doubts about quality or cleanliness. Organisers never want to spend money unless they have to but bottled water has to be the best answer for festivals. We do have plenty of taps if artists wish to replenish the water in their bottles.

I would not encourage people to buy bottled water for home but festivals have a particular problem and bottled water solves it.

no washing up, no plastic cups and happy artists (and stewards).

However we do try to purchase bottled water in biodegradable bottles. Could this be the real answer?