Andrea Hiland

Special for The Republic | azcentral.com

Question from Sherry: I have noticed that some stores will give you water for free in a small cup if you request it. Are there any Arizona laws concerning water. Can a business legally refuse to give a customer a cup of water?

Answer : I, too, had believed that there was a state law obligating Arizona businesses to offer water to anyone who asked. But just to be sure, I called Arizona Republic legislative reporter Alia Rau to clarify. I was surprised at her answer. See what you think:

"The idea that Arizona has a law on its books that requires businesses to provide the public with free water has become a national urban legend. According to the Arizona Legislative Council, the staff of state attorneys charged with drafting legislation for state lawmakers and updating the state statute books, it could find no such state law in Arizona statute."