Plumbers in Imperial Beach, CA

A South Bay beach town

Imperial Beach is a South Bay beach city about 10 miles from downtown San Diego in a straight line, with the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and Border Field State Park close by. Incorporated in 1956, it had 26,137 residents at the 2020 Census. It is highly residential, with a large military population, Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach nearby, and a surf culture centered on the pier, Seacoast Drive, Palm Avenue and Imperial Beach Boulevard.

Salt air and outdoor plumbing

Living this close to the ocean is hard on anything metal outside. Hose bibs, exposed valves, outdoor shower fixtures, gas connectors and water heaters installed outside or in open closets tend to corrode faster than they would inland. Frozen pipes are rarely an issue here, but replacing rusted outdoor fixtures and checking exterior water heater venting and connections are routine jobs.

Water from California American Water

California American Water's Coronado system serves Coronado, Imperial Beach and portions of Chula Vista and San Diego. All of that water is treated surface water bought from the City of San Diego and treated at its Alvarado and Otay plants, and Cal Am uses chloramines in its pipes. Hardness at those source plants runs from 145 to 280 ppm, or 8.5 to 16.4 grains per gallon. Cal Am says it has finished its lead service line inventory and found no lead service lines in any of its systems, including customer-owned lines. Its customer service line, 1-888-237-1333, also takes emergency calls.

Cal Am runs its own cross-connection program. Required backflow devices must be tested every year, and irrigation and fire sprinkler systems need an approved device directly behind the meter unless a Cal Am specialist approves something else. The local contact is 619-446-5713.

City sewer with pump stations

The City of Imperial Beach Public Works Sewer Division operates about 50 miles of collection lines and 11 pump stations, and raw wastewater goes to the San Diego Metropolitan Sewage System for treatment. Report public sewer problems to Public Works at 619-423-8311; a backup in your house or private line is a plumber's call.

Permits and gas

The City's Building Division requires permits to install or alter gas or plumbing systems, with applications through its online self-service portal and inspections Monday through Thursday. SDG&E supplies gas. If you smell gas, leave first, then call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from a safe place.

Compared with the City of San Diego

The water starts at San Diego's plants, but Cal Am delivers it and Imperial Beach handles sewer and permits. When you call, say where you are and what is happening, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who sets the price and timing with you.