East Lakewood, including Imperial Estates, covers the neighborhoods east of the San Gabriel River, mostly in ZIP 90715. Unlike the rest of the city, homes here get their water from Golden State Water Company, not the City of Lakewood. For plumbing help in East Lakewood, call (708) 350-9399 and ask whether your address is covered.
What makes East Lakewood different?
When Lakewood bought the private Lakewood Water and Power Company and two smaller water providers in 1957–59, the city's utility took over service west of the river. Residents east of the San Gabriel River continue to be served by the privately owned Golden State Water Company, according to A city of neighborhoods. The same history notes that Bloomfield Park, a 15-acre park, began as a county facility in the unincorporated neighborhoods east of the river and became part of Lakewood when the city annexed the area. In the late 1970s, a city committee put federal funds into sidewalks and tree planting in eastern Lakewood.
Landmarks on the east bank
Rynerson Park, dedicated in 1990 and named for former mayor Jacqueline Rynerson, runs along the east bank of the river. It includes the 19-acre Lakewood Equestrian Center, which started as the Spiller Stables, and the Home Run Dog Park at its northern end. Lakewood Little League fields sit next to the park, on land leased from Southern California Edison under the power lines since 1969.
Not sure what you need? Talk it through by phone.
Call (708) 350-9399Plumbing in East Lakewood homes
Housing east of the river is mostly post-war single-family homes, with the same slab foundations, aging supply lines and older sewer laterals as the rest of Lakewood. The big practical difference is the water provider. For a leak at the meter, a billing question or a water quality concern, contact Golden State Water. For anything on the house side of the meter, you need a plumber.
Who supplies water in East Lakewood and Imperial Estates?
Homes in East Lakewood and Imperial Estates get water from the Golden State Water Company. The City of Lakewood's water utility serves homes west of the San Gabriel River, and Golden State Water serves homes east of it, according to the Lakewood new-resident utilities guide. For a leak at or before the meter, a billing question or a water quality concern, contact Golden State Water Company. Everything on the house side of the meter, including the buried service line to the house, is the owner's responsibility and a private plumbing repair.
What plumbing problems are common in East Lakewood and Imperial Estates?
Most Lakewood homes were built by the Lakewood Park Corporation between 1950 and 1953, about 17,500 houses in all, according to the city's history, The Lakewood Story: City of Tomorrow. Most are single-story homes on concrete slabs. Seventy years on, the common calls are for corroded galvanized supply pipe, slab leaks, cracked or root-filled sewer laterals, and garage or shed water heaters that need replacing.
- Low pressure or brown water: often galvanized pipe. See repiping and pipe repair.
- Warm spots on the floor, or a meter that moves with everything off: a possible slab leak. See leak detection.
- Several drains backing up: usually the main line. See drain cleaning and sewer line repair.
- No hot water, or a leaking tank: see water heater repair and replacement.
Who maintains the sewers in East Lakewood and Imperial Estates?
Public sewer mains in Lakewood are maintained by the Los Angeles County Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District, according to the Lakewood Sewer System Management Plan page. Report overflowing manholes or street sewers to the county at 1-800-675-HELP (4357). The private lateral from your house to the main is generally the owner's responsibility. See who owns the sewer lateral in Lakewood.
Do you need a permit for plumbing work in East Lakewood and Imperial Estates?
Often, yes. The City of Lakewood lists plumbing, sewer and water heater work among projects that often need a permit, on its Lakewood Building and Safety permits page, and garage or outdoor water heaters start with planning review, according to its Lakewood home and property improvements guide. Ask your provider whether they'll pull the permit. See our Lakewood plumbing permits guide.
What should you have ready when you call from East Lakewood and Imperial Estates?
- Your address or nearest cross streets.
- What's happening, where in the house, and when it started.
- Which fixtures are affected, and anything you've already shut off.
- For water heaters, the fuel type, tank size and approximate age. For sewer problems, whether you know where your cleanout is.
How do you get plumbing help in East Lakewood and Imperial Estates?
Call (708) 350-9399. Describe the problem and give your address or cross streets, then ask whether your address and job are covered. We don't promise coverage for any ZIP code in advance. Coverage, timing and pricing are confirmed on the call with the provider. There's no form to fill in. Before you call, check our troubleshooting guides for safe first steps.
Related Lakewood pages
- Lakewood 90715, the ZIP code that covers much of East Lakewood and Imperial Estates
- Other neighborhoods: Mayfair, Lakewood Country Club Estates, Carson Park, Lakewood Park and the Mutuals
- Buying a 1950s Lakewood home: plumbing checklist