City well water and what it does to plumbing
Inver Grove Heights draws from six wells in the Jordan aquifer. The city's water treatment plant does not soften the water, and the city reports hardness of 20 to 22 grains per gallon, or about 370 parts per million. That is harder than the water in neighboring South St. Paul.
Hard water scales water heaters, tankless units and fixtures. The city also posts radium compliance notices on its site and states that they are not an emergency. If you want a softener, see water softener and filtration, and test your tap before you buy.
Neighborhoods and what they tend to need
The city's neighborhoods differ in age and in what goes wrong with the pipes.
Concord
The oldest part of the city, along the bluff. Expect older drains and supply lines.
South Grove
Mixed-era homes. Check for sump discharge problems in wet seasons.
Arbor Pointe
Newer construction. Fixtures and water heaters more than old lines.
Northwest Area
A mix of ages. We scope by the house, not the district.
Septic or city sewer
About 60 percent of the city is on city sewer, and the rural remainder uses septic. If you are on city sewer, utility maintenance answers at 651-450-4309. If you are on septic, call a licensed septic contractor for the tank, and call us for the plumbing inside the house.
City code 8-4-7 prohibits connecting a sump pump to the sanitary sewer. If your pump is tied in, see sump pump service to reroute it outdoors. Fewer than 20 percent of homes here predate 1970, so many drain problems come from roots or grease rather than failed old pipe.
Common calls by property type
A rough guide to what usually brings a call.
| Property | Common call | Page to start with |
|---|---|---|
| Older bluff-side home | Slow main drain and root intrusion | Drain cleaning |
| Newer subdivision home | Water heater failure | Water heater replacement |
| Rural home | Burst pipe in an unheated space | Burst pipe repair |
| Rental or multiunit | Hidden leak | Leak detection |
Nearby coverage includes Mendota Heights and West St. Paul.
Before We Arrive
A little preparation speeds up the visit.
Where we answer calls in Inver Grove Heights
What affects pricing in Inver Grove Heights
Local conditions change the work.
Insurance may cover resulting water damage after a sudden event, but not the wear on the pipe. Take photos before cleanup.
Sources for this page
Wells, hardness, lead inventory and radium notices come from the City of Inver Grove Heights' water pages. The sump rule is City Code 8-4-7. Plumbing work follows Minnesota Rules chapter 4714, built on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
Questions people ask
We serve Inver Grove Heights, MN, including ZIP codes 55076 and 55077. Call with your address and we will confirm coverage.
Yes. Our 24/7 line serves Inver Grove Heights day and night, and we book same-day appointments when available.
The city reports 20 to 22 grains per gallon, about 370 parts per million. That is hard water.
No. City code 8-4-7 prohibits sump connections to the sanitary sewer.
We handle plumbing inside the house. Septic tanks and drain fields need a licensed septic contractor.
Utility maintenance can be reached at 651-450-4309.