Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-44
Water supply
Operative Text
A. Potable water from an approved source shall be available at all times in residential buildings. The domestic water supply system of the building shall be connected to such approved source and shall not be subject to contamination. When supplied from a public source, the potable water supply system shall not be connected to private or unsafe water supplies. B. Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so as to provide at all times a supply of water to plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function satisfactorily and without undue noise under all normal conditions of use. C. Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so that water used for purposes of cooling or heating shall not be reintroduced into the domestic water supply system or be distributed through such equipment to plumbing fixtures. D. Domestic hot water supply systems shall be provided with safety devices arranged to relieve hazardous pressures and excessive temperatures. E. Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with water-heating facilities which are installed in an approved manner, properly maintained and properly connected with hot-water lines to the fixtures required to be supplied with hot water. Water-heating facilities shall be capable of heating water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub, shower and laundry facility or other similar units, at a temperature of not less than 130º F. at any time needed.
Albany Code § 231-44 establishes comprehensive standards for water supply in residential buildings. It requires that safe, potable water from an approved source be continuously available, that water systems maintain adequate pressure and volume for all plumbing fixtures, and that cooling or heating water not be mixed back into the domestic supply. Additionally, hot water systems must include safety relief devices and must be capable of delivering water at a minimum temperature of 130°F to required kitchen sinks, lavatories, bathtubs, showers, and laundry facilities at any time.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albany Code § 231-44, compliant residential property operators maintain an uninterrupted connection to an approved potable water source, ensure the system is free from contamination and cross-connections with private or unsafe supplies, and keep water pressure and volume sufficient for all plumbing fixtures to function properly. Operators also ensure that water used in heating or cooling equipment is never reintroduced into the domestic supply, and that hot water systems are equipped with pressure and temperature relief devices. Hot water heating equipment is kept in proper working order and connected so that every required fixture can receive water at no less than 130°F whenever needed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albany Code § 231-44 gives residential tenants the right to a continuous supply of safe, adequately pressurized potable water and hot water reaching at least 130°F at required kitchen, bathroom, and laundry fixtures at all times. If a tenant experiences water outages, contamination concerns, low pressure, or insufficient hot water temperatures, these conditions may constitute violations of this provision. Tenants experiencing such issues can document the problem, notify their landlord in writing, contact the City of Albany's code enforcement office to report a potential violation, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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