IMPERIAL, Imperial County — October 23, 2026. A broken streetlight, dangerous pothole or unexplained water problem can require different responses from city staff. Imperial’s Department of Public Services identifies three divisions — Water, Wastewater and Streets — and provides a dedicated routine-service contact as well as an after-hours assistance number. Knowing which issue is urgent can help the right crew respond.

Where to report a street hazard

The city’s Public Services page offers separate links to “Report A Pot-Hole” and “Report Street Light Outage,” along with street sweeping schedules and trash-and-recycling information. Residents should use these official options rather than leaving a social-media comment and assuming a city work order has been opened. If a hazard is in traffic, document it from a safe location without stopping in a lane.

What if it’s after regular business hours?

Imperial lists 760-355-1158 for after-hours emergency assistance through Public Services. The normal department number is 760-355-2155, with email publicservices@imperial.ca.gov. This does not replace 911 in an immediate threat to life or an active emergency. Residents should describe the location, type of problem and whether water or wastewater is entering a street or building.

Water bills and utility service have a different contact

The city Finance Department’s customer-service directory lists 760-355-1247 and utilitybilling@imperial.ca.gov for utility billing. It also publishes separate application forms for starting and stopping water, sewer and trash service. A billing dispute belongs with Utility Billing, while an urgent suspected line failure belongs with appropriate operations or emergency personnel.

Water-quality information and planning maintenance

Public Services links to an Annual Water Quality Report, a Utility Rate Study and a Sidewalk Inspection and Maintenance Program. Those are useful starting points for residents who want to understand broader service conditions or who are asking whether a neighborhood issue is scheduled for repair. If an individual household is experiencing unusual smell, color or pressure, ask the utility for a service investigation rather than relying on generic citywide averages.

Where are the city facilities?

Public Services lists the City Shop and Wastewater Treatment Plant at 701 East 14th Street and the Water Treatment Plant at 201 South B Street. City Hall’s public address is 420 South Imperial Avenue. Residents should phone or consult online services before visiting operational facilities, which may have restricted access.

Follow Imperial News and El Centro News. Send verifiable corrections and local records to California58 Newsroom. Support independent Imperial Valley reporting.

Primary sources: City of Imperial Public Services and Finance Department official service directories. Independent community service guide, not an emergency dispatch service.

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