An ice machine requires both a water-supply line and a drain line. This differs from a refrigerator's ice maker, which only needs a water-supply line. An ice machine's water-supply line typically connects to a pressurized residential cold-water line. Many ice machines use gravity fed drainage systems that empty into a floor drain. Some ice machines substitute a drain pump for a gravity fed system. A drain pump pushes the water through a pipe to a more convenient location.

Drainage for the excess melted ice must be considered with either type of system. Both will need some type of professional installation to connect and channel the water flow to the drain and to be sure the installation and operation are adequate for the system and meet the structural code of the area.

An ice machine's plumbing must meet all local plumbing codes.