Commercial Plumbing in Cave Creek, AZ

Signs a Cave Creek business needs a plumber

• A backflow test reminder, or an assembly dripping at its relief port
• Kitchen and restroom drains slowing during busy weekends
• Drains slowing throughout the building at once, which can point to the line to an onsite system
• Water heaters losing capacity or leaking
• Wet ground or green patches along the water line
• Exposed pipes or backflow devices cracked after a cold night

Cave Creek water, sewer and permits

Cave Creek is a small Sonoran Desert town on the northern edge of the Valley, known for its Old West identity, with a historic core around Frontier Town. The Town's Utilities Department runs the Cave Creek Water System, which treats Colorado River water from the CAP canal at the town's own plant after it's piped about 12 miles; the Town says no groundwater wells supply this system. The department also owns the Desert Hills Water System, serving parts of unincorporated Maricopa County with wells and treated CAP water through an interconnect. The Town reports that testing so far hasn't found lead service lines in its systems.

Sewer works differently from most of the metro. The Town runs a collection system and treatment plant, but it calls the collection area "very limited," and not every area can be served. Many properties outside that area aren't on municipal sewer and use private onsite wastewater systems, so a drain problem at a restaurant or shop may involve the private line out to that system rather than a public main.

The Backflow Prevention Program requires every required assembly to be tested at least once a year by a certified tester, with assemblies installed as close as practical to the meter on the customer side. Testing is tracked through BSI Online (480-488-6619). Building permits, including plumbing, come from the Building Department at 37622 N. Cave Creek Road (480-488-6622). The median year built in town is 1998, and about 16 percent of homes predate 1980. Southwest Gas supplies natural gas; if anyone smells gas, get everyone out, then call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020 from outside.

What affects the cost

• Whether the building is on Town sewer or a private onsite system
• Locating the problem with a camera or leak detection
• Working around restaurant and retail hours
• Backflow repairs and retesting
• Permit timing, given the department's four-day week
• Rocky desert ground and long runs on larger lots

Making the call

Tell us the type of property, the problem and whether it's on Town sewer. You'll be connected with an independent local plumber who serves Cave Creek. For after-hours Town water emergencies, the utility line is 602-667-4574.