Plumbers in Cave Creek, AZ

Old West town on the northern edge

Cave Creek is a small Sonoran Desert town in Maricopa County, incorporated in 1986, about 28 miles from downtown Phoenix in a straight line. The town itself had 4,892 residents at the 2020 Census, though the 85331 ZIP code covers a much larger area than town limits, so a Cave Creek mailing address does not always mean town utilities or a town permit. It calls itself the place "Where the Wild West Lives," with a historic core around Frontier Town and the Cave Creek Museum, and Black Mountain, Elephant Mountain and Spur Cross Ranch nearby. Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway are the main routes.

River water, not wells

The Cave Creek Water System takes Colorado River water from the Central Arizona Project canal and pipes it about 12 miles to the town's own treatment plant. There it goes through coagulation, settling, filtration and disinfection plus membrane units, and the town says no groundwater wells currently feed this system. The Utilities Department also owns the Desert Hills Water System serving parts of unincorporated Maricopa County, which relies on groundwater wells supplemented with treated CAP water. The town reports that it has not found lead service lines in its systems so far. Utility billing is at 480-488-6620, and after-hours utility emergencies go to 602-667-4574.

Sewer covers only part of town

The town operates a sewer collection system and a small treatment plant, but it describes that system as very limited in area and says not all areas can be served. Homes outside it use a private onsite wastewater system. For those properties, slow drains or backups often trace to the line from the house to the tank, and a plumber can clear or camera that run. Ask before assuming any address is on town sewer.

Housing

The median Cave Creek home was built around 1998, and about 16% of homes predate 1980. Many sit on larger lots, which means longer service lines from the meter, longer drain runs and more exposed outdoor piping that can suffer on the occasional freezing night.

Backflow, permits and gas

The town's Backflow Prevention Program requires every required assembly to be tested at least once a year by a certified tester, installed as close to the meter as possible on the customer side. Questions go to (480) 488-6619. Plumbing permits come through the Town of Cave Creek Building Department, 37622 N Cave Creek Rd (480-488-6622). Southwest Gas supplies natural gas. If you smell gas, get outside first, then call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020.

How Cave Creek differs from Phoenix

Inside Phoenix, city sewer is the norm. In Cave Creek it is the exception, the town treats its own river water, and many properties are spread out on bigger lots. When you call the number on this page, say whether you are on town sewer and town water, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who works in Cave Creek and sets price and timing with you.