Plumbers in Apache Junction, AZ

Pinal County, near the Superstitions

Apache Junction is a Pinal County city about 31 miles from downtown Phoenix in a straight line, with Mesa as its nearest larger neighbor. The 2020 Census counted 38,499 residents. The city's own resident guide leads with its setting: the Superstition Mountains, Goldfield Ghost Town, the Superstition Mountain - Lost Dutchman Museum and Canyon Lake. Superstition Boulevard, Apache Trail, Idaho Road and Ironwood Drive are the main streets.

Two water utilities

Which company fills your pipes depends on location, and the city's Water Resources page has a Find My Provider map. The Apache Junction Water District (480-982-6030) blends groundwater from the Eastern Salt River sub-basin with Central Arizona Project water filtered at the Superstition Area Water Plant, and it can draw treated CAP water from Mesa through an interconnect as backup. Arizona Water Company (480-982-2201) relies mainly on wells, with CAP water contracts, and publishes its own quality report.

The water district classifies its blended water as hard, above 10.5 grains per gallon. That is enough to shorten the life of water heater elements and fixture cartridges, so softeners and descaling are worth discussing with a plumber. The district also keeps a lead service line inventory online and describes the risk of lead in its lines as very low.

Sewer and permits

Sewer collection and treatment inside the city is handled by the Apache Junction Sewer District at (480) 941-6754, a separate agency from either water company. A backup in your own line from the house to the public connection is still a private repair.

The City of Apache Junction Development Services, Building Safety and Inspection, is at 300 E Superstition Boulevard (480-982-8002), with applications through MyGovernmentOnline. Its plumbing permit covers water heater changes, repipes, repairs and traps. A like-for-like water heater swap is generally exempt in one- and two-family homes and in manufactured homes, provided an electric unit is equal or lower in amperage, or a gas unit is equal or lower in Btu with minor connection changes and code-compliant venting. Replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures needs a permit.

Backflow and gas

The water district requires backflow assemblies to be tested at least once a year, or more often if the manufacturer says so. The owner pays for tests and repairs, notices go out 45 days before a test is due, and skipping the test can lead to water service being shut off. Southwest Gas is the natural gas utility; if you smell gas, leave first and then call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020.

How it differs from Phoenix

Phoenix has one city utility for both water and sewer. In Apache Junction three separate agencies may be involved, and the permit exemptions spell out rules for manufactured homes. Call the number on this page, say which water provider is on your bill, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who covers Apache Junction and quotes the work directly.