Plumbers in New River, AZ

Rural desert along I-17

New River is an unincorporated community in Maricopa County, about 29 miles north of downtown Phoenix as the crow flies, strung along Interstate 17, the old Black Canyon Highway. It began in 1868 as a stagecoach stop, and the Wranglers Roost Stagecoach Stop still marks that history. Daisy Mountain, the Daisy Mountain Preserve and Gavilan Peak rise nearby, and Lake Pleasant Regional Park is to the west. Lots are large and the population is spread out; the 2020 Census counted 17,290 people in the New River census-designated place, and past attempts to incorporate did not succeed.

Wells and hauled water

This is the biggest difference from almost anywhere else in the metro. The Arizona Department of Water Resources describes New River and Desert Hills residents relying on private wells, some of which have gone dry as the shallow aquifer was overdrawn, and on potable water delivered by commercial water haulers. EPCOR built a dedicated filling station for those haulers. We could not verify whether any part of New River is on a piped utility system, so if you are not sure what serves your property, start there.

For a home on a well, the usual repairs involve the submersible pump, pressure switch, pressure tank and the line to the house. For a hauled-water home, the storage tank, its float and the booster pump that pressurizes the house are the common failure points. In both cases, a sudden loss of pressure is the symptom people notice first. Rural water can also carry sediment or minerals that wear on water heaters and fixtures, so filters and screens deserve a look during any service call.

Drains and wastewater

We found no municipal sewer provider for New River, so don't assume your drain line runs to a public main. Ask the seller, check county records, or have a plumber trace the line before planning any drain or sewer work.

County permits

Maricopa County Planning and Development regulates residential building in unincorporated areas and can be reached at 602-506-3301. It lists like-for-like plumbing repair as a web-issued permit, handles new gas line permits for things like a grill, fireplace or pool heater, and no longer requires a permit to replace an existing water heater following the manufacturer's specifications, though an inspection permit can be requested.

Gas and propane

We did not find an official source naming a gas utility for New River, and outlying homes may run on propane or be all-electric. If you smell gas, leave the house before doing anything else. Then call 911 and your propane supplier, or the gas utility on your bill, from a safe spot.

Calling from New River

Compared with Phoenix, where city water arrives at every meter, a New River call often starts with figuring out where the water comes from. When you call the number on this page, say whether you are on a well or hauled water and what changed, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who travels to the area.