Can I shut off my water at the curb stop in Phoenix?

Only the City of Phoenix, or someone it has authorized. Chapter 37 of the Phoenix City Code is direct about it: "The Department has exclusive control and authority over all shut-off valves of the City public water system. No unauthorized person may molest, disturb, or manipulate any shut-off valve on the City public water system."

The same chapter goes further than most people expect. It says "No person may knowingly own, possess or maintain control of a curb stop key, valve key or hydrant wrench for the City public water system without written permission from the Director." So the tool sold for the job isn't something a Phoenix homeowner can simply keep in the garage for city valves.

Other parts of the chapter back this up:

• Turning water on. "Except for a Department representative, no person may open City water valves or otherwise turn on water from the City mains without written permission from the Director."
• Access. No one may place objects or structures near or around, or obstruct access to, valves, valve boxes, curb stops or water meter boxes. The code adds, "No person may fill or cover any valve or meter box."

### What happens if someone turns the water on anyway?

The code spells out the result. "If a person turns on City water service without authority, the Department will promptly terminate water service." It adds that service "will not be re-established until the appropriate fee and any applicable repaving costs are paid." So a neighbor with a borrowed key can turn a small problem into a bigger one.

### Can my plumber use the curb stop?

Not without the city's say-so. The code's permission rules apply to any person, and they don't carve out an exception for contractors. A plumber working on your side of the meter uses your house valve. If the job needs the water off at the meter, the plumber or the homeowner calls the city to arrange it.

### Why the meter valve is off limits too

The city's household tips say the same about the meter: "It's important for you to NOT shut your water off at the meter. This requires a special tool and you may be held responsible for any repairs to a damaged water meter."

The city does, from the street up to the meter. Phoenix's household tips say its Water Services Department "is responsible for repairing all leaks, broken pipes, and water mains on the city, or street side of the water meters." Leaks or breaks on private property, the customer's side, are the property owner's responsibility. If water is coming up near the meter box or the street, report it to the city rather than digging.

Your house valve, on your side of the meter. Phoenix's code says customers may install a shut-off valve for the customer's use downstream of the point of service delivery. Where there's a meter, the code defines that point as "the downstream end (i.e., customer's side) of the meter."

The city's tips say that for most houses, "this valve is usually located at the front of the home, near a hose bib." Some older houses have it at the rear of the property. Homes with basements may have it in the basement or a crawlspace, on a wall facing the street.

That's also where your responsibility starts. The code says each customer is responsible for all leaks, and damage from leaks, downstream of the point of service delivery. The city's tips add: "The water meter is what separates city and private property."

### Other Valley water providers

Rules vary by provider, so check with yours. Scottsdale, for example, tells property owners to know where the property owner's cut-off valve is and how to use it, and says "The valve is located adjacent to the water meter box." If your water comes from a private water company regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission, a state rule requires the customer to "provide and maintain a private cutoff valve within 18 inches of the meter on the customer's side of the meter" where service is being provided for the first time, with a like valve on the utility's side (Ariz. Admin. Code R14-2-405).

Call the city, and it will send someone to shut off the meter for you. Phoenix's tips say that if you or your plumber cannot find your water shut-off valve, "please call our Customer Services office at 602-262-6251, and we'll have a technician come out and turn the water off at the meter for you."

For a leak that can't wait, the city's service issues page says to contact it "if your issue is an emergency and requires field staff to turn off your water due to a leak." It lists the emergency number as 602-261-8000.

While you wait, you can often limit damage by closing the fixture valve at the leak if there is one. See how to shut off water to a fixture. A water heater has its own cold supply valve too. See how to shut off a leaking water heater.

### Plan ahead so you never need the curb stop

The best time to deal with this is before the emergency. Find your house valve now, make sure it closes, and show everyone in the house where it is. Our guide to testing your main water shut-off valve walks through it step by step. If your house valve is seized, missing or leaking, have it replaced so you're never stuck waiting on a city crew.

### Keep the meter box clear

A city crew can only shut you off quickly if it can reach the meter. Phoenix's code says no one may place any object, material, debris or structure near or around, or obstruct access to, valve boxes, curb stops or water meter boxes. That rules out burying the box under gravel or landscaping, parking a trailer over it, or building a planter around it. In an emergency, a clear box can save real time, and it keeps you on the right side of the code.

The code also says customers must keep their valves and other water appliances in good repair to prevent waste of water. A house valve that works is part of that.

If your house valve won't close or you can't find it, HQ can help. We're available 24/7, licensed and insured, and every estimate is free with upfront pricing.