Alan Rothschild, president of Vantage Group, a water cost management company in Monroe Township, N.J., agreed.
Machines to drill and pump clean underground water cost at least 10m shillings.
I bypassed the few that were open, where even a bottle of water cost $4.50.
The Playpump, which was a children's merry-go-round that pumps water, cost $11,000.
One bottle of water cost $6, one frank, $7. My son bought two pretzels and a Coke: $21.
That, along with a dessert of flan-like leche asada and a bottle of water cost just 3,500 pesos.
At Southpark Seafood Grill and Wine Bar, 901 Southwest Salmon Street, (503) 326-1300, lunch of fettuccini and seared scallops, with water, cost $13 including tip.
"Two thousand liters of tap water cost less than one liter of Spa," a popular Dutch mineral water, Mr. Liauw said.
Again, though, his entry into the water cost him points and there was a collective sigh when his scores were revealed.
"If somebody came over and indignantly said how much coffee beans and hot water cost, I would politely tell them to get out".
A chicken burrito bowl, tortilla chips and bottled water cost one sergeant $6, although the menu price for the burrito bowl alone was $7.45.
