How to shut off your water meter

Locate your water meter. Water meters are typically installed inside black meter boxes placed on the street side of your property flush with the ground.Remove the black lid of the meter box. A standard screw driver can be used to lift the lid around the rectangular edges. The meter may be below dirt or sand, which can be carefully moved to uncover the meter.

There should be an owner’s valve after the meter. There are various types and when on, the handle should be in line with the pipe. Turn across the pipe ¼ turn to shut off.

If the owner’s valve is broken or rusted off, you can turn the water off before the meter, in an emergency. The owner’s valve is the owner’s responsibility; please replace it if necessary.

On the street side of the meter, locate the round knob. This is the main shut-off valve, also referred to as the curb stop. The bar in the middle is in line with the pipe. To turn it off, turn it one quarter turn so the bar is across the pipe; the hole in the tab will line up with the hole below, this means it is off.

Below is a picture of a meter. The owner’s valve on the left is on; the curb stop on the right is also on.