News

Do you know where your home’s water shut-off valve is?

Does everyone else in your family know where it is? If there’s an emergency, you’ll need to know in a hurry. You can’t afford to waste precious minutes searching for the shut-off valve when you have a leak or a line break gushing water.

Every home, apartment and business should have a valve that turns the building’s water on or off. The shut-off valve is part of your private plumbing and should not be confused with your water meter. The most likely location for your home’s water valve is where the water line enters the building, either at the front of your house where you connect your hose, or in the garage.

When you think you’ve located the valve, try a simple test to be sure you’ve got the right one. Start by turning it off. Then check the faucets inside to see if they’re receiving water. If they are dry, you’ve got the right one. If not, try adjusting a different valve. Please take special care if you live in a condo. You may have access to a row of valves, so be careful not to shut off your neighbors’ water!

Once you’ve found the right valve, mark it with a tag or colorful paint. Make it easy to see so you will be able to quickly find it in an emergency. If you cannot turn your water valve off in an emergency and need to have the water turned off at the District’s meter, please call us at (949) 831-2500. We are available 24/7 and will be happy to send someone out to stop the water right away.

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