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Skip Navigation LinksEPCOR / Outages & Safety / Safety / Safety at Home / Pipes, Lines and Cables on Your Property / Your Guide to Water Shutoff Valves

Turning off water to your property

Sometimes, you may have to turn off the water coming into your house. For plumbing installations or repairs, or in the case of a flood or back-up, you'll want the water off. Two valves can do this: the main water shutoff valve and the curb stop valve. Most of the time, you'll just need to use the main water shutoff valve.

​Common reasons to use the main water shut off valve:​

  • Home renovations or repairs 
  • Emergencies, such as leaks, back ups, floods, etc. 
  • Going on vacation (to help prevent frozen pipes and/or potential water damage)

Common reasons to turn off water with the curb stop valve:​

  • Repair or replace the main shutoff valve in your home 
  • Moving the water line to a new location 
  • Repairing or replacing sewer lines 
  • Home renovations and repairing water leaks in your home may also require the curb stop valve to be turned off 

Main water shut off valve vs. curb stop valve

The main water shut off valve is attached to the water line that goes into the water meter inside of your home. The main shutoff valve is usually in your basement. Turning off this valve will stop water from entering your home.

The curb stop valve is also called a municipal water shutoff valve, curb cock or a CC valve. It is found at the property line on your driveway, back alley or front yard. The curb stop​ valve connects to the underground water main near the street and can be turned off by the utility company.

Note: Residents in multi-residential units should contact their building manager to shut off water to their property. Check manufacturer's guidelines to shut off water to appliances in the unit.

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​​​Main water shut off valve

How to find your water shutoff valve

The main water shutoff valve is located next to your water meter. Your water meter will be near the front or back of the house, and usually in a utility room in your basement. Check in crawl spaces near exterior walls or in your furnace room near your water heater.

There will be two valves near the meter. The water shutoff valve is the one located before the meter. It is attached to the pipe coming from the outside wall. You'll see a gate valve or ball valve to open or close the waterline.

 Watch​ our How to Video

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Who is responsible for main water shutoff valve?

Homeowners are responsible for the main water shutoff valve. You're responsible for fixing any plumbing issues with pipes, fixtures, and water lines within your home​ and property. That includes the pipe going from your home to the curb stop valve to the municipal water line. If the shutoff valve leaks, needs repairs or needs to be replaced, it's your job to get it fixed.

EPCOR's responsibility

EPCOR is responsible for the curb stop (cc) valve and the water lines that lead to your property line.

Our crews will repair faulty main lines outside of your property line that may be the cause of flooding or damage. If you're losing water pressure and think the main line is the culprit, we can check for a few things. Soil slumping on the line, tree roots growing through it, leaks, or nearby construction activities can cause issues with your water line or water quality. Contact EPCOR, we're happy to troubleshoot the problem and send our maintenance team if needed. 

How to fix or replace the main water shutoff valve

Over time, mineral deposits and grit can clog the shutoff valve and cause leaks. It can also make it difficult to turn the valve on and off. It is your responsibility to fix it, and we suggest hiring a professional plumber. It requires skill, expertise, and specific tools to do it correctly. Because it's an essential part of your home's plumbing system, you want to make sure to do it right.​

Before they get to work, call EPCOR to turn the water off at the curb stop valve. After the repair, contact us again, and we'll turn it back on for you. ​​​​​​​​

​Curb stop valve

Where to find your curb stop valve

Typically, th​e curb stop (CC) valve is found near the property line on your driveway, front lawn or in the back alley. ​

Here are examples of what the CC valve may look like and where it may be situated on your property:


CC valve cap visible at ground level.


A CC valve in a front yard.​

​​A CC valve on driveway or in a back alley.

Keeping your curb stop (CC) valve clear and visible

EPCOR needs access to the curb stop valve in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, frozen service line or water main break. We will also use it to shut off water to your home as per your request (e.g. renovations or repairs). The property owner is responsible for ensuring the curb stop valve remains accessible.

  • Make sure any landscaping, décor and/or vehicles don’t block the CC valve.
  • Take care not to damage the CC valve when mowing your lawn or shoveling your driveway or back alley.
  • Try not to drive vehicles over the CC valve.
  • Ensure new driveways are not poured overtop the CC valve.

NOTE: The CC valve can raise up in spring when the ground begins to thaw. Contact us to restore it to ground level so that it’s not a safety hazard. ​

Contact us

If you need to temporarily shut off water at the property line for home renovations, repairs or other reasons, contact us.Contact us​​


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