Many New River homes depend on private wells or hauled water instead of a municipal system, so a plumbing emergency here can mean a dead well pump or an empty storage tank as easily as a burst pipe. Shut off the water at the house, leave if you smell gas and call 911 and your gas utility or propane supplier, then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in New River.
Rural plumbing in New River
New River is an unincorporated desert community along I-17 north of Phoenix that started as a stagecoach stop in 1868, with large lots and a sizeable rural population. We found no municipal water utility serving it. Residents have relied on private wells, some of which have gone dry as the shallow aquifer was overtaxed, and many households use water delivered by haulers and stored in tanks on site. That makes well pumps, pressure tanks, storage tanks and booster pumps the equipment most likely to fail.
We also found no municipal sewer provider for New River, so check how your own property handles wastewater; rural homes off the sewer system use a private onsite wastewater system. No official page names a gas utility for the area, and outlying homes may run on propane or electricity alone. Permits come from Maricopa County Planning and Development (602-506-3301).
Which problem, which first step
| Problem | First step | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| No water and the well pump won't run | Check the pump breaker; don't keep resetting it | A plumber who works on wells |
| Pump clicking on and off every few seconds | Turn the pump off at the breaker | A plumber, for the pressure tank or switch |
| Storage tank empty | Shut off the booster pump so it doesn't run dry | Your water hauler, then a plumber if the pump was damaged |
| Burst pipe in the house | Close the main valve or turn off the pump | A plumber |
| Drains backing up | Stop using water | A plumber for the house line; an onsite system company for the tank |
| Gas or propane smell | Leave the house | 911, then your gas utility or propane supplier |
Signs to call now
- The pump runs nonstop or short-cycles
- Air sputtering from faucets after an outage
- Water around the base of a storage tank or pressure tank
- A sewage odor indoors, or every drain slowing at once
Timing
Summer heat and monsoon lightning are hard on pumps and controls, and a rural address off I-17 can mean a longer drive for the plumber. Freezes are uncommon, but exposed well heads and tank lines are the first to suffer on a cold night. After-hours calls usually cost more, and no arrival time is promised. If the water heater is the casualty, the County says a permit is no longer required to replace an existing one per the manufacturer's specifications.
Emergency Plumber questions in New River
Our home is on a private well and the taps went dry. Who can help?
The house is not on municipal sewer and every drain is backing up. Who do I call?
Our home uses propane instead of utility gas. What changes in a gas emergency?
What should I have ready when I call about an emergency?
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