In Tempe, the service line from the meter to the house is privately owned, and older homes in particular can develop leaks that show up as soggy ground, weak pressure or a jump in the water bill. A plumber can find and fix the damaged pipe. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Tempe.
Who owns the line on my Tempe property?
Tempe's water report refers to privately owned service lines, and the city is identifying their materials under the revised federal Lead and Copper Rule. In practice, the stretch of pipe from the meter to your house is yours to maintain. The City of Tempe Water Utilities Division handles water, wastewater and stormwater, with customer service at 480-350-8361 and a 24-hour water emergency line at 480-350-2837. If water is coming up in the street or at the meter itself, that emergency line is the first call.
Does the age of my house matter?
More than in most Valley cities. Tempe's median home was built around 1983, and it's an inner-ring suburb with older neighborhoods near ASU, Mill Avenue and Kiwanis Park. A house that old may have its original service line or one that has been patched more than once. Tempe states that lead in drinking water comes primarily from private service lines and home plumbing, which is why its inventory work focuses on the customer side. Galvanized or unknown material on an older lot is a good reason to price a full replacement rather than another patch.
Will the repair need a permit?
Tempe's homeowner permit guide says separate plumbing permits apply when needed, and that leak repairs are exempt only when they don't involve replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures. Cutting in a new section of service line or running a new line usually involves replacing pipe, so plan on the permit question coming up. Permits go through the Community Development permit counter at City Hall, and the plumber can handle the application.
Local note
Tempe's water hardness swings widely, from about 9.5 to 29 grains per gallon according to the city's report, with an average near 10.9. That scale is hard on water heaters, valves and fixtures but is rarely the reason a buried service line fails. Plumber Phoenix is a referral service, not a contractor; when you call, you're connected with an independent local plumber who works in Tempe and can tell you whether your line needs a repair or a replacement.
Water Line Repair questions in Tempe
How do I find out whether my service line has lead or galvanized pipe?
Do I need a permit to repair or replace my water service line?
When is replacing the whole line smarter than patching one spot?
Who handles a leak right at the meter box?
More plumbing services in Tempe
Water Line Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: