How to turn off water

Question

On our street, each two houses have their water meters under a manhole cover on the curb. Is it likely that I could legally open that manhole cover and turn off my water? Is it likely to require some kind of tool to turn it off? Is it likely to be easy to tell which is mine?

Answer 1

Lift the lid and have a look, it's very easy to do. It's your water turn it on and off as you please.

Answer 2

HECK MAN,ITS YOUR,YOU CAN OPEN IT IF YOU WANT TO,THE BEST WAY TO TELL WHICH ONE IS YOURS IS TO LOOK ON YOUR WATER BILL AND SEE WHAT THE METER # IS, THEN RAISE THE COVER UP AND LOOK ON THE FACE OF THE METER AND SEE WHAT THE METER # IS IT SHOULD MATCH THE # ON YOUR BILL.THE ONLY THING THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU IS THE METER ITSELF.

Answer 3

You can turn off the water without a special tool even though it is easier with one. You can use a crescent wrench and place a screwdriver though the hole in the handle of the wrench to turn the water off. Turn on your garden hose and you will know which meter is yours when the water stops running.

Answer 4

It is likely that you could legally access the water valve. In fact it is often a valve of last resort if the ones in the house are defective. It can require a special tool if you live in a cooler climate but most of the time a small adjustable wrench can be used. It should be self explanatory which valve to turn off. If you are worried about it call your local water company and they will let you know.

Answer 5

that's where the water is usually turned off by the water department.

i can't believe that wherever the water pipe enters your house that there isn't a valve to turn the water off.  it's only one pipe, a cold water pipe.  find that pipe where it enters the house and start tracing it to your other water lines.  there should be a valve somewhere along the line to turn the water off. if there isn't you should have one installed.

this doesn't make sense to me.   your not supposed to turn the water off at the curb outside.

good luck to ya