The Lord Mayor of London has called for a boycott of bottled water in favor of "cheaper, better-tasting and more environmentally friendly" tap water.

Mayor Ken Livingston says bottled water served with meals in London costs 500 times more than tap water and is 300 times more damaging to the environment, according to the Thames Water company.

The mayor told his constituents not to be embarrassed to ask for tap water when they eat out. "You will save money and help save the planet. By drinking less bottled water, we can cut the climate change carbon emissions coming from its production and transportation, and cut the problem of disposing of used bottles. "

Thames Water Chief Executive David Owens, said he has the best drinking water in the world and in a recent independent taste test rated higher than 20 more expensive, bottled brands.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas added that he wasn't going to tell people what to drink, "but I believe there is no place for snobbery about tap water, and no excuse for making people feel small if they ask for it. "