Public Water Supply Permit Program: Do I Need A Permit ?
Regulated Activities
The Public Water Supply program regulates activities that involve permanently installed systems providing piped water to the public for drinking and other potable purposes. Anyone planning to operate or operating such a system, with at least five service connections used year-round, must obtain a Water Supply Permit from DEC before undertaking any of the regulated activities.
Exempt Activities
No water supply permit is required for activities which:
- Involve non-permanent water supplies;
- Involve permanent water supplies of less than 5 service connections;
- Do not supply potable water for drinking water purposes;
- Involve transporting, carrying or using water for fire fighting emergencies.
In addition, for water supply systems owned and operated by municipalities (cities, towns, and villages) or by county water authorities, no water supply permit is required for the following activities:
- Extension of supply or distribution mains within areas previously approved for service by the system making the extension;
- Involve permanent water supplies of less than 5 service connections;
- The reconstruction or replacement of existing facilities when the capacity of the system to take and distribute water is not increased; and
- Construction of filtration or other treatment facilities that will not increase the amount of water made available from the presently approved source of supply.
Do Not Start a Project Before Obtaining a Permit
Obtain all necessary permits before commencing work on a project that requires any DEC permit. Commencing work before obtaining the required permits subjects you and any contractors engaged in such work, to DEC enforcement action. Such action may include:
- Civil or criminal court action, or both, Fines, or
- An order to remove structures or materials or perform other remedial action, or both a fine and an order.
