Helpful Tips

Master Shut-Off Valve Location

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE MASTER WATER SHUT-OFF VALVE. This valve is usually located where your water service enters the home, next to or near your water meter. The water meter is usually located at the point where the water pipe comes through the foundation, usually in the basement, under the foyer or utility room. These valves should be operated at least once a year by turning them off and on to ensure they are working properly. When a valve is not operated and exercised, it can get stuck or break off when trying to open or close it in an emergency.
 
FIND THE VALVE NOW, AND LET EVERYONE IN YOUR FAMILY KNOW WHERE TO LOCATE IT. An emergency, such as a broken pipe, is not the time to go looking for the valve. Everyone should know how to turn off the main water valve to your home.

Household Plumbing

Your plumbing includes all of the pipes and fixtures on your property, from the valve near the street to the meter to the faucets inside your home. Here are a few important components to be familiar with:

Main Shut-Off Valve. This valve is normally located where the water line enters your home through the foundation. It can be used to shut the water off in an emergency or when plumbing improvements are being made. It can also be turned off while the property is vacant to prevent water damage that unforeseen leaks might cause. To make sure this valve works properly, turn it off and verify that the water flow to your fixtures has stopped completely. When the valve is turned back on, it should be opened fully to allow unrestricted water flow.
 
Water Meter. The water meter is usually found where the service line enters the residence and measures consumption. It usually has a 5/8" x 3/4" configuration meaning the inside diameter is 5/8 of an inch and the the connectors are 3/4 of an inch. The meter is normally hardwired to a touchpad or readout on the exterior of the dwelling so that the meter can be read without entering the residence.

Leak Detection.

Check to see if your meter has a "leak detector" on it. A leak detector is very useful in problem solving, if you suspect you have a leak in your home or business. When you are sure that nobody is using water, check the red dial. It should not be turning. The slightest movement means that water is being registered by the meter. A meter can not turn with water flowing through it.

Start with the toilet. You can turn the valve off at the toilet, then check the red dial. Continue isolating areas until you have narrowed the leak down.

Another way to check a toilet for a leak is by placing a dye tablet or food coloring in the tank. Let it sit for a while then look in the bowl. If you see coloring, the toilet is leaking through. Dye tablets are available free of charge at the Water Office. 

 Pressure Reducing Valve - most houses built after 1972 are equipped with a pressure reducing valve (PRV), which is normally located near the main water valve and meter. PRVs are usually bell-shaped devices, approximately 4" in length that are designed to keep the water pressure inside your home from exceeding a set limit. This helps prevents "knocking" in pipes and other stresses caused by high pressure.

Service Line – Moving water from the water main in the street to your kitchen sink is the job of your service line.  The water main is buried 5 to 6 feet deep in the street to prevent the water from freezing in winter.  A corporation (corp.) stop is connected directly to the water main.  The corp. stop is actually a modified valve that allows the District to turn the water off at the water main in the event of a leak in the service line.  The service line, usually ¾ inch plastic or copper, is attached to the corp. stop, and the service line runs to the property line where it is attached to a curb stop.  The curb stop is another modified valve that can be used to shut off the service without having to dig up the pavement in the street over the water main.  The homeowner is responsible for repairing or replacing a leaking service line if the leak is between the curb box and the house. 

Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention - A cross connection is a plumbing connection between a drinking water supply and water that is not for human consumption.  An example of a cross connection would be any situation where these two sources of water, such as water from a sprinkler system, have the potential to flow together.  Backflow or water flowing from a building into the main water supply lines can occur when a drop in water pressure in the distribution system allows water to flow from the building back into the main distribution system.  To prevent this, backflow prevention devices should be installed.   District staff are trained and certified to recognize cross connections and advise on backflow prevention devices when necessary.