Striking Workers Say Central Park Boathouse's $8 Bottled Water From The Tap

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Striking union workers have apparently let out the Central Park Boathouse's little secret -- the overpriced bottled water they sell is really just tap water.

Employees say the iconic restaurant, operated by Dean Poll, has been selling filtered municipal water for $8 and pulling a fast one on customers for years.

"It's fraud, isn't it? If you're charging $8 and whatever the bottle says on the outside of it," one New Yorker told 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa.

1010 WINS' Juliet Papa Gets Reaction From New Yorkers

Paco and Julia, a couple visiting from Germany, aren't really big fans of the water either.

"I don't like that water, it smells like swimming pool water," Paco said.

"In Germany, we have like clear water and really you can drink it and it don't smell anything," Julia quipped.

Many other customers felt the price was simply too high and the free glass on the table was just fine. It also irked the nerves of others, who weren't really amused by the alleged tactic.

"That's ridiculous, I mean in San Francisco, I think it's illegal to actually refuse to give people free tap water. So if that's not the case here in New York, which I don't think it is, it should be," said one woman.

"I would never buy bottled water anyway, they should definitely be fined if nothing more," another woman remarked.

1010 WINS has reached out to the restaurant, but they have yet to comment on the allegations.

What do you think about the allegations of bottled water fraud? Share your thoughts in the comments section below...