Commercial Plumbing in Tempe, AZ

How hard is Tempe's water on commercial equipment?

Hard, and it varies a lot. Tempe's water report lists an average of 10.9 grains per gallon, with a range from 9.5 up to 29 grains per gallon across the system. The supply is mostly SRP surface water from the Salt and Verde watersheds, plus city wells and CAP water, treated at the Johnny G. Martinez and South Tempe plants. Disinfection is chlorine with ultraviolet treatment at the plants, not chloramine. For a coffee shop, bar or kitchen on Mill Avenue, that hardness shows up as scale in water heaters, ice machines and dish machines, and as sticky flush valves and aerators in busy restrooms.

What does Tempe expect on backflow and permits?

Tempe's Backflow Prevention Program is run by Environmental Services, and Environmental Compliance Inspectors check cross connection control during their inspections. Restaurants, labs, medical offices and anything with chemical feed or irrigation should expect questions about their assemblies. On permits, the Development Services permit counter at City Hall (31 E. 5th Street, Garden Level, 480-350-4311) requires separate plumbing and mechanical permits when they apply. Leak repairs are exempt only when no valves, pipes or fixtures are replaced or rearranged, so most real commercial plumbing work needs a permit.

What should older Tempe buildings watch for?

Tempe is a landlocked, inner-ring city with a median year built of 1983, and the dense north end around downtown and ASU has many older commercial and apartment buildings. Drain lines, shutoff valves and water heaters there are often original or patched more than once. The city is building a service line material inventory that includes privately owned lines, and it notes that lead in drinking water comes mainly from private service lines and building plumbing. A camera inspection before a remodel or lease turnover is a smart step.

Utility numbers to keep handy

Water Utilities customer service is 480-350-8361, and water emergencies go to 480-350-2837 at any hour. Southwest Gas supplies natural gas in Tempe; if anyone smells gas, get people outside, then call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020 from a safe distance. When you call the number on this page, mention the building type, how many units or suites are affected and whether the work has to happen outside business hours.