Adding Chemicals to Water Supply - Permit

You need this permit for your business to chemically treat the drinking water supply within a building. This permit lets you add chemicals only for:

• Anti-corrosion
• Anti-scaling
• Disinfection

Only approved permit holders or their trained workers can add chemicals to drinking water in a building. The system must follow the manufacturer's instructions and industry standards. It should:

• Ensure proper chemical dosage and operation
• Be safe from tampering
• Stop too much chemical use
• Stop backflow

Check the treated water before operating and then every month to meet the State Sanitary Code (Subpart 5-1). Keep records of:

• Water sampling and analysis
• Maintenance records, including worker details, service dates and times, and the amount of each chemical used

Keep these records for five years.

• Contact the NYC Health Department: Call 718-786-6400 or email phe@health.nyc.gov for help with documents and plans.

• Review application instructions: Check the Adding Chemicals to Water Supply Permit application instructions (PDF) for what you need.

• Get an NYC ID: Get an NYC ID to use the MyCity Business portal.

• Pay outstanding fines: Pay any fines for Health Code Violations before applying.

  • In person: 66 John St, 10th floor, New York, NY 10038 or at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center (appointment required). Email onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov to request an appointment.
  • Online: nyc.gov/citypay.

• Educational requirements: You need a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or sanitary engineering from an approved college or university.

• Experience requirements: You need at least five years of experience in water chemistry or related work.

• Supervision requirements: A corporation or partnership must have a qualified officer or partner supervising the addition of chemicals to water full-time.

• Health Code compliance: Follow Section 141.011 of the NYC Health Code for equipment and chemicals. Select Article 141 on the NYC Health Code site to learn more.

• Laboratory requirements: Use a State-certified lab to analyze drinking water.

  • Confirm the water meets Subpart 5-1 of the State Sanitary Code before use.
  • Keep records for at least five years.

• Insurance requirements: Submit proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance when applying and renewing.

  • If exempt, submit Form CE-200.

• The certificate must list the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as the certificate holder.

• Permit fees:

  • Permit application fee: $495.00
  • Annual renewal fee: $70.00

• Payment methods:

  • In person:

    • Check (payable to the DOHMH)
    • Government check (payable to the DOHMH)
    • Money order (payable to the DOHMH)
    • Major credit cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa) and bank debit (ATM) cards

  • Online:

    • Major credit cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa) and bank debit (ATM) cards

• If you submitted your application in person: The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will give you a receipt.
• If you submitted your application online: You will get a receipt by email.
• You can check the status of your application: Call the NYC Department of Health, Office of Public Health Engineering at 718-786-6400.

• Follow Health Code rules: You must follow all rules in Section 141.011 of the NYC Health Code. This includes rules about equipment, chemicals and sampling. See the Compliance Guidance for Adding Chemicals to Water (PDF) for more information.

• Submit Operation Status Change Form: You need to fill out an Operation Status Change Form (Form PHE-ACW-01) within 24 hours of any new activity. This includes installing and starting or stopping a device or system. You can request and submit the form by emailing phe@health.nyc.gov.

• Maintain or retain the services of a chemical lab: You must have a chemical lab to test water. The lab should follow the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The lab must test water as it enters and leaves the chemical device and analyze samples as required. Keep these test records for at least five years.

• Complete annual compliance report: By February 15 each year, you need to complete an Annual Compliance Report (Form PHE-ACW-02) for the previous year. You can request and submit the form by emailing phe@health.nyc.gov.

• Provide proof of insurance: When you apply for or renew your permit, you must show proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance. This includes the insurance carrier's name, policy number and expiration date. If you are exempt, provide Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as the Certificate Holder.

• Gather documents: Collect all required documents and make copies. You will upload these to the online permit system.

• Create an account: Create an account with the NYC Online Licensing system.

  • Have your credit or debit card ready for payment.
  • You can save and return to your application later.
  • Use the same email as your NYC ID.

• Select permit type: Choose the permit type and fill in the required fields. Upload each required document individually.

• Pay and submit: Pay with a credit or debit card to complete the application.

• Gather documents: Collect all required documents.

• Complete application: Fill out and sign the permit application.

• Make an appointment. Appointments are required.

  • Email: licensingappointments@dcwp.nyc.gov

  • Phone: 212-436-0441 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)

• Submit in person: Bring all forms, documents and payment to the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center.

NYC DCWP
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004

Applications are not accepted by mail.

• Follow the instructions on your renewal notice to renew.

• You can renew your permit in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center. If someone else renews for you, they must present an Authority to Act on your behalf.
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Follow the instructions on your renewal notice to renew by mail.