Colton runs its own water and wastewater utilities, supplying chlorinated groundwater from seven City wells and operating the sewer collection system and treatment plant. The City's Building & Safety Division requires permits to replace water heaters and water or sewer lines. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Colton.
Colton commercial plumbing at a glance
Known locally as the Hub City for the Colton Crossing rail junction, Colton mixes rail and industrial land around Agua Mansa with businesses along the San Bernardino Freeway and La Cadena Drive. The City's Water Department, at 650 N La Cadena Drive, draws from seven wells in the Colton/Rialto, Bunker Hill and North Riverside basins, with an interconnection to Rialto and, when needed, treated groundwater from San Bernardino. The Wastewater Department runs more than 100 miles of collection pipe and a secondary treatment plant, and treated water goes to a rapid infiltration-extraction facility shared with the City of San Bernardino.
Steps to take right away
- Close the valve feeding the leak, or the building main if needed.
- Keep people away from any sewage backup and stop using fixtures on that line.
- With a gas odor, clear the building first, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from outside.
- If a main break, a City-side service leak or a sewer blockage in the street is to blame, call the City's after-hours line, 909-370-5000.
- Photograph the damage and note when it started.
- Check whether the repair will need a permit before work begins.
Symptom table
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Heavy scale in water heaters and ice machines | Hard local groundwater |
| Drains slowing across several suites | Blockage in a shared line or the lateral |
| Corroded or leaking supply fittings | Aging pipe in an older building |
| Water in the yard near the meter | Service line leak |
| Hot water fading during busy periods | Sediment or an undersized heater |
What affects cost
Colton's water is hard. The 2025 report puts total hardness for Colton/Rialto sources at an average of about 207 mg/L, with a range of 150 to 230, and that speeds up scale in water heaters, boilers and kitchen equipment, which means more frequent service. Building age matters too: about half of Colton's homes were built before 1980, and older properties of any kind are more likely to need pipe replacement rather than a spot fix. Other factors are locating time, access, after-hours work and permits. Building & Safety, (909) 370-5079, requires permits to replace, relocate or install water heaters and to replace water or sewer lines, while swapping fixtures on existing plumbing is listed as not needing one.
Commercial Plumbing questions in Colton
Where do we get a plumbing permit for work on a commercial building?
How does the local water hardness affect commercial water heaters and kitchen equipment?
Who do we call after hours if the problem is on the utility's side?
Are water and sewer handled by the same agency?
More plumbing services in Colton
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