Plumbers in Spring Valley, CA

An unincorporated East County community

Spring Valley is not a city. It is an unincorporated part of San Diego County covering about eleven square miles, about 11 miles from downtown San Diego in a straight line, and the 2020 Census counted 30,998 residents in the census-designated place. Most of it is single-family homes, with denser multi-family housing added since the 1970s. State Route 94 and State Route 125 cut through it, and Jamacha Boulevard, Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, Bancroft Drive and Dictionary Hill are familiar landmarks; La Presa next door is often considered part of Spring Valley too.

Water depends on your street

Helix Water District serves part of Spring Valley and Otay Water District serves other addresses, so check your bill before calling about a shutoff, a meter or a backflow notice. Helix water blends imported supply with runoff from Lake Cuyamaca and El Capitan Reservoir, is treated mostly at the R.M. Levy plant in Lakeside, and is carried with chloramines. Helix plant water averages about 12 grains per gallon of hardness, so scale on heaters and fixtures is common at Helix addresses. Helix states it has no lead pipes or service lines in its distribution system. Its number is 619-466-0585; Otay customers should use the contact on their own bill.

For Helix-served properties, backflow assemblies must be tested every year by a Helix-approved certified tester at the customer's expense, with reports filed online.

County sewer, with exceptions

The San Diego County Sanitation District serves most of Spring Valley, and its wastewater goes to the City of San Diego's Point Loma treatment plant. The County's community plan notes pockets that are not on municipal sewer and rely on a private onsite wastewater system instead. If your home is one of those, tell the plumber when you call, since drain work and line inspections are handled differently there.

Permits through the County

Because Spring Valley is unincorporated, building permits come from the County of San Diego Planning & Development Services Building Division rather than a city hall. Simple permits, inspections and fees can be handled online through the County's Accela Citizen Access portal, and the Permit Center is in Kearny Mesa.

Gas safety

SDG&E supplies gas in Spring Valley. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from a safe spot.

How it differs from the City of San Diego

San Diego residents deal with one city utility and one city permit office. Spring Valley owners may deal with Helix or Otay for water, the County for sewer and the County for permits. When you call, give your street area and describe the problem, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who sets the price and timing with you.