Plumbing Not Properly Installed or Maintained — NYC Health Violation 10B
Violation 10B — Plumbing Not Properly Installed or Maintained — is a major plumbing defect that poses immediate public health risk. The violation covers failures to install anti-siphonage devices or maintain sewage systems, which can allow contaminated water to flow backward into the facility's drinking water supply and spread pathogens throughout the plumbing system. NYC DOHMH has cited this violation over 20,700 times since records began, most frequently in Manhattan, because backflow contamination can affect all water used for drinking, cooking, and food preparation across an entire restaurant.
What is Violation 10B?
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided. Sewage disposal system in disrepair.
Install backflow preventers on ALL required fixtures. Maintain air gaps (2x pipe diameter minimum). Fix all leaks immediately. Ensure proper drainage - no standing water. Regular plumbing inspection. No direct connections between sewage and water supply.
CDC Risk Factor: Environmental Contamination
Which Boroughs See Violation 10B Most?
Restaurants Cited for Violation 10B (20,727 total)
Violation 10B: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is violation 10B in NYC restaurants?
- Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided. Sewage disposal system in disrepair.
- How serious is violation 10B?
- Major violation. WATER CONTAMINATION: Backflow can siphon sewage into water supply, contaminating entire facility. Cross-connections spread pathogens throughout plumbing. Sewage backups create immediate health hazard. Can affect hundreds through contaminated water.
- How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 10B?
- 20,727 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 10B, representing 18.74% of all inspections with violations.
- Which borough has the most violation 10B citations?
- Manhattan has the highest number of violation 10B citations among NYC boroughs.
- What must a restaurant do to fix violation 10B?
- Install backflow preventers on ALL required fixtures. Maintain air gaps (2x pipe diameter minimum). Fix all leaks immediately. Ensure proper drainage - no standing water. Regular plumbing inspection. No direct connections between sewage and water supply.
- Is violation 10B a critical violation?
- No, violation 10B is classified as a major violation. However, all violations must be corrected to maintain a passing health grade.