Plumber in West Odessa

West Odessa at a glance

West Odessa is an unincorporated community on the west side of Odessa with 33,340 people at the 2020 census, up from 22,707 in 2010. It covers about 63 square miles in the center of Ector County, bounded by I-20 to the south, State Highway 302 to the north and FM 866 to the west.

What that means for your plumbing

An unincorporated area this big doesn't all have city services, so many homes rely on private water wells and septic systems. Wells mean pumps, pressure tanks and switches; septic means regular pumping and a drain field that has to stay clear. If drains are slow everywhere, see sewer and septic.

Lots of rentals

The 2020 census counted a high share of vacant rental homes, a sign of how many houses here are rented to oilfield workers who come and go. Landlords should shut off and drain a vacant house in winter and check it often. Our rental property checklist covers the basics.

A young, growing community

West Odessa first appeared as a census-designated place in 1990 and has grown with every oil boom since. Its residents are young; the median age at the last census was just under 31, and almost half of households have children. Busy family homes go through water heaters, toilets and drains faster than most, and older mobile and manufactured homes often have plumbing that is exposed underneath and freezes easily. Skirting and pipe insulation help, and so does a frost-free hose bib on the north side. If a line has already split, see frozen and burst pipe repair.