Depts & Services:
Customer Shut-Off Valve
Customers of the District are required to install and maintain in good working condition, at their expense, a shut-off valve on the customer’s side of the meter to allow the on-site plumbing to be shut off and drained as necessary to prevent loss of water from frozen or broken pipes.
Make certain that you know the location of your own main shut-off valve. Be sure that this valve is operable and the valve and pipes are buried deep enough (30 inches) in the ground and protected when above ground to prevent freezing.
NOTE: Your valve is not the District’s meter valve found in the District’s meter box.
The valve should be below grade in a locked enclosure. This will give you added protection of being able to protect your system from unauthorized use as well as being able to shut the water off to your entire system, including the service line to the house.
Always use your shut-off valve whenever your home will be left unattended (generally longer than one day). Remember, under certain conditions, all heating systems can fail with the result of water loss from broken pipes or fixtures.
Consult your local plumber as to the best methods of use to prevent freezing of your house piping and fixtures.
A shut-off valve, properly located and used when absent from the premises will prevent most water losses. Failure to use the shut-off valve which causes the District’s personnel to respond to the premises as a result of a leak could result in penalties up to $100.
As an added safeguard, if your home is not used during the winter months, you may request that your meter be turned off. There will be an additional charge for this service based on the District’s prevailing rate. This request to shut-off the meter does not reduce the monthly service charges or relieve the property owner of any water usage recorded by the meter.
Remember, the customer is responsible for all water registered by the District’s meter.