Knowing where and how to shut off the water to your home or business is an important part of property maintenance and emergency preparedness. A broken pipe, major leak, damaged fixture, or other plumbing emergency can require water to be shut off quickly to prevent additional damage.
Customers should know the location of their private water shutoff valve and how to operate it before an emergency occurs. During widespread events, such as prolonged freezing weather, District personnel may be responding to multiple water system emergencies throughout the service area. Knowing how to shut off water to your own property allows you to respond immediately rather than waiting for District personnel to arrive.
Fixture Shutoff Valves & Isolation Valves
For a leak involving a single fixture or appliance, first determine whether the water can be stopped using its individual shutoff valve. Toilets, faucets, water heaters, washing machines, and other plumbing fixtures or appliances commonly have isolation valves that allow water to be shut off without interrupting water service to the entire property.
It is a good idea to locate these valves before they are needed and periodically make sure they operate properly.
Exterior Shutoff Valve: Customer- versus District-Owned
If water cannot be isolated at an individual fixture or appliance, locate your customer-owned shutoff valve. Rose Hill SUD requires customers to have an accessible shutoff valve located within two feet of the meter on the customer's side of the meter.
The customer-owned shutoff valve may have a knob or ball-valve handle. A ball valve generally requires a quarter turn to operate. When the handle is perpendicular to the pipe, the valve is closed; when the handle is parallel to the pipe, the valve is open.
If a customer-owned shutoff valve is not installed within two feet of the meter, one must be installed in accordance with District requirements.
Do Not Operate the District's Shutoff Valve
The District-owned curb stop is located at the meter and may only be operated by Rose Hill SUD personnel or a qualified plumber. Customers should use their own shutoff valve to turn water service to their property on or off.
Tampering with, damaging, removing, or obstructing access to the meter, meter box, curb stop, or other District equipment is prohibited. Customers may be responsible for repair or replacement costs and other applicable charges as provided by the District's Service Policy.
When to Contact Rose Hill SUD
Contact the District if the leak or problem appears to involve the water meter or other District-owned facilities, if you are unable to safely isolate the water using your private shutoff valve, or if you observe a water leak in a roadway, easement, or other area that may involve the District's water system.
During widespread emergencies, response times may be longer than usual as District personnel prioritize system-wide and public water system emergencies.
