How Do I Shut Off My Water in an Emergency?

Imagine that you come home from work to find water running all over your basement floor! Do you know how to shut off your water supply until you can fix the problem?

There are two places to shut off the water at your home: your master valve and your meter. Homes built after 1990 usually have a master valve, often located in a garage or basement area. You can watch a short video about shutting off your master valve here: http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/videos/video_turning_off_residential_water.shtml

You can also shut off water at your water meter. If there are two meters in the meter box, shut off the one closest to your property line so you don't shut off your neighbor's water! Here's how: http://www.sammplat.wa.org/pdf/HowToShutOffYourMeter.pdf

Find both your master valve and your meter and practice shutting them off in
advance of an emergency. You'll be glad you did!