Most building code occupancy classifications require that drinking fountains be provided, per Plumbing Code (PC) Table 403.1, with the exception of restaurants where water is served and most residential occupancies.
In an attempt to reduce the amount of waste, Local Law 55 of 2010 made significant changes to PC 410, which went into effect on July 1, 2012.
PC 410.1 requires that all such required drinking fountains have both a bubbler faucet and a separate faucet capable of filling a 10″ high container. However, PC 410.2 allows for up to 50 percent of the required drinking fountains to be substituted by dedicated plumbing fixtures with faucets designed for filling a container at least 10 inches in height, provided any such dedicated plumbing fixture is adjacent to or readily visible from the location of a required drinking fountain conforming to PC 410.1.