Water Potability Certificate
A Water Potability Certificate is issued to a wholesale food establishment when deemed necessary by an agency of the United States government or any other agency.
The certificate consists of a letter stating that the premises were inspected; the premises are supplied with approved potable water; no cross-connections exist between the potable water supply and gray or waste water; the wastewater disposal systems for the facility are acceptable, adequate and approved; and the results from the potable water sample collected for bacteriological analysis is negative for coliform bacteria.
The Water Potability Certificate will expire a year from the date of certificate approval. A renewal application form will be mailed to each establishment, requesting completion and return of the form with the requisite application fee, listed below. However, renewal of the certificate is not mandatory. If renewal is required by the agency having jurisdiction over such operation, another inspection of the facility is required.
The information on this page is designed to explain the application, regulatory compliance, and inspection requirements for a wholesale food establishment required to obtain this certificate. This information only encompasses health-related aspects of the regulatory requirements of wholesale food establishments, and users should be aware that reading the documents attached and below will be necessary to properly understand the various provisions of Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) regulations.
Review the Instructions for Applying for a Water Potability Certificate.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Fines may be paid in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or Online.
List of accepted payment methods.
- Personal Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene - when applying in person)
- Certified Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene - when applying in person)
- Money Order (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene - when applying in person)
- American Express (if applying online or in person)
- Discover (if applying online or in person)
- MasterCard (if applying online or in person)
- Visa (if applying online or in person)
Applying for a DOHMH certificate or permit does not satisfy the regulatory requirements of other City and State Agencies. It is the business owner's responsibility to apply for all other permits, licenses, and authorizations required by other City and State Agencies. Failure to comply with all relevant regulations, including those under the jurisdiction of other Agencies, may result in the suspension of Department of Health and Mental Hygiene certificates or permits until proof of compliance is provided.
To view the relevant Rules of the City of New York for this certificate, click the link, above. Then click folder "Title 24: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene", subfolder "Title IV: Environmental Sanitation", subfolder "Part A: Food and Drugs" and then subfolder "Article 81: Food Preparation and Food Establishments".
Renewals may be submitted online via the NYC Online Licensing system. Registration is required. You will not be permitted to renew a permit if you have outstanding fines. You can pay fines online before renewing.
To renew online for the first time, you will need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) found on your Renewal Notice for each permit or license you hold. The PIN will allow you to link your existing records to one single online account. You only need to use your PIN to link to each permit or license record once. If you do not have access to your Renewal Notice, you may obtain your PIN(s) by completing an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.
Water Potability Certificate Application Instructions