Plumbers in Cary, NC

Where Cary sits and what its houses are like

Cary is a large town, incorporated in 1871, that lies mostly in Wake County with small pieces in Chatham and Durham counties. Its center is about 10 miles west of downtown Raleigh in a straight line, and I-40, US 1/US 64, NC 55 and Cary Parkway carry most of the traffic through it. The 2020 Census counted 174,721 residents. Much of the town grew as planned development; Kildaire Farms was North Carolina's first planned unit development. The median home was built in 1999 and only about 12% predate 1980, so a typical call here involves a water heater, a fixture, an irrigation line or a drain in a house from the 1980s through the 2010s rather than decades-old piping.

Water, sewer and the line at the meter

Town of Cary Utilities draws from Jordan Lake and treats the water at the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility. The same system serves Morrisville, the Wake County side of Research Triangle Park and RDU Airport. Wastewater goes to the North Cary and South Cary water reclamation facilities and to the Western Wake Regional facility in New Hill, and some of the treated water returns as reclaimed water for irrigation.

Cary owns the pipe from the main to the water meter. The line from the meter to the house, and everything inside, belongs to the owner, so a leak on the house side of the meter is a job for your plumber while one between the main and the meter is the Town's. Cary says its system has no lead service lines, and its 2025 water quality report listed no violations. The water is treated with chloramine most of the year, with a switch to chlorine each spring. The full report is linked below.

Rules that are specific to Cary

• Irrigation backflow. Every Cary water customer with an irrigation system, including customers outside town limits, needs a backflow device on it. The device is inspected when installed and tested every year by a tester the Town recognizes. Homeowners can choose to have a Town-hired contractor handle the yearly test.
• Water heater permits. Town of Cary Inspections and Permits issues plumbing permits, and replacing a water heater generally needs one. The exception for one- and two-family homes is a straight swap with no change in location, size, heating capacity, fuel, venting or piping, done by a plumbing contractor holding the proper state license.
• Gas. Natural gas in Wake County comes from Enbridge Gas North Carolina, the former PSNC, though whether a main reaches your street varies. If you smell gas, get everyone out and call 911 or Enbridge from outside.

How Cary differs from Raleigh, and what the call is like

A Raleigh homeowner deals with Raleigh Water and the City's permit office. In Cary, the meter, the bill, the yearly backflow schedule and the permit all belong to the Town of Cary. When you call, say whether the problem is inside the house, in the yard or at the sprinkler system, and whether your water heater runs on gas or electricity. You'll be connected with an independent local plumber who works in Cary, and that plumber sets the price and schedule with you directly.