I'm working on some plumbing projects today and found that my indoor valve isn't working to shut off the water. Now, I'm trying to locate the outside water main to do the job myself. The city's website mentions it should be located near the sidewalk or curb, roughly in the middle of my property line. Could it be buried under dirt? I've never noticed it while mowing my lawn, and there's a tree in that area as well. If I find it, do I need permission from anyone to turn off the water? I worry about my city charging me for something if I mess it up.
3 Answers
In my area, city personnel are usually willing to turn the water off as long as they don't break anything while doing it. If they break it, they handle the repair without charging you. Just make sure the valve turns freely before asking them for help."
You’re looking for a black rectangular box that’s about 12x16 inches near the curb; it might even be slightly depressed into the ground. It's common to successfully turn off a valve at the curb without issues, but be careful not to contaminate the water. If you're unsure, don’t hesitate to call your city water department—they're pretty helpful!
Check for a meter box; that's usually where you'll find it. But don’t try to mess with the water main yourself, as damaging it can lead to costly repairs. It's best to call 811 for help—they’ll handle locating it and suggest you call your water utility to shut off the street valve. If you feel comfortable, you could do a live valve replacement where the water enters your house, which is a bit tricky but manageable with the right tools. Good luck!
Just remember that there's a meter inside your house too, and make sure not to break any pipe connections!