Restaurants in the US do serve tap water, though (and for free, unlike in Europe, proving that these restaurants aren't buying fancy bottled water to serve you)

Restaurants in the US do serve tap water, though (and for free, unlike in Europe, proving that these restaurants aren't buying fancy bottled water to serve you). Some places in the US have naturally higher concentrations of sulfur in the ground, which can contribute a "stinky" taste, but usually that's only noticeable if you're drinking from a well on your property rather than from the municipal water supply. Of course, the US is a big place, and this will vary by region.