The folks behind the TapIt Water initiative are taking the 'convenience' excuse out of the case for bottled water. Combining popular mobile technologies and grassroots on-the-ground efforts, the program connects empty-canteen-carrying water seekers with cafes and restaurants who offer good, clean, NYC tap water at no charge and with no dirty you-need-to-buy-something looks.

Cafes sign up to be TapIt Partners, supplying their location and how they plan to make water accessible. Users can...