El Mirage runs its own water and wastewater systems, and its cross-connection code makes the customer responsible for testing backflow assemblies at least once a year with a certified tester from the city's list. Permits go through Development Services Building Safety. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in El Mirage.
El Mirage sits on the west bank of the Agua Fria River. Farm workers settled it in the early 1930s, and it has kept its farming roots while adding industry. Commercial plumbing here spans small storefronts on Grand Avenue, industrial and warehouse space, and multi-family buildings.
What to do now
- Turn off the water at the fixture or the building main if water is spreading.
- If anyone smells gas, get everyone out first, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside.
- Stop using drains that are backing up, especially floor drains and dish machines.
- For a problem at the meter or in the street, contact the City of El Mirage Water Services Division.
- If a backflow assembly failed its test, schedule the repair and retest promptly with a certified tester from the city's list.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Floor drains in a shop or warehouse backing up | Debris, sediment or a damaged section of the building drain |
| Hot water falls short | Sediment in the tank, a bad element or burner, or an undersized heater |
| Backflow assembly leaking from the relief port | A fouled check valve or worn relief valve |
| Restroom fixtures running constantly | Worn flush valve parts |
| Low pressure at the back of the building | A clogged strainer, failing regulator or partly closed valve |
Cost factors
El Mirage's Water Services Division produces and distributes water for El Mirage and the Original Town Site of Surprise, serving almost 40,000 people from nine city wells. The city's 2024 report lists hardness from 4 to 9 grains, averaging 7, which is milder than many Valley systems, and the report suggests 7.5 grains as a softener setting. The city states it has an Assured Water Supply designation. Wastewater Services collects and treats wastewater at the city's own reclamation facility.
Under City Code 14-10, the customer is responsible for testing and servicing backflow prevention assemblies at least once a year and pays for any repairs or replacement. Tests must be done by a certified tester on the list the city maintains, and the tester sends results and repair records to the city. The number of assemblies on site, whether they can be rebuilt and the retest all affect the bill. The city is also identifying service line materials across its water system as part of its lead and copper program.
Other factors include after-hours work, access through slab or finished surfaces, the number of tenants affected and any permit steps required by Development Services Building Safety, which says permits are needed for new construction and some repair work.
Commercial Plumbing questions in El Mirage
Who is allowed to test a backflow assembly on a business property?
How does hard water affect water heaters, ice machines and dish machines?
Do HOAs, apartment owners and property managers use commercial plumbers?
Who handles a sewer backup that starts in the public main?
More plumbing services in El Mirage
Commercial Plumbing nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- City of El Mirage water services
- City of El Mirage water quality report
- City of El Mirage wastewater services
- El Mirage City Code 14-10 (cross-connection)
- City of El Mirage building permits and inspections
- City of El Mirage lead and copper
- City of El Mirage water statement and FAQ
- El Mirage, Arizona (Wikipedia)
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