Water

Shutting off the water

Where can I get a water shut off valve key?

Water shut off keys are available at Manitoba Works Yard Reception 250 W. 70th Avenue 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If Reception is closed the security guard will have the key. The security gatehouse is located just outside the Administration Building.

A driver’s license or valid picture id must be presented to borrow a shut off key. The shut off keys must be returned within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in a replacement charge of $125.00. We will grant an extension, if requested, without penalty.

Water shut off keys for 20 mm services only are also available from most Fire Halls between the hours of 8:00am and 9:00pm. Please call to make sure they have a key before going there. For services 20mm and higher these water shut off keys are available at Manitoba Yards.

The following Fire Halls have 20mm service water shut off keys:

Fire Hall #1 - 900 Heatley, phone: 604.665.6001

Fire Hall #2 - 199 Main, phone: 604.665.6002

Fire Hall #3 - 2801 Quebec, phone: 604.665.6003

Fire Hall #4 - 1475 W 10th, phone: 604.665.6004

Fire Hall # 5 - 3090 E 54th, phone: 604.665.6005

Fire Hall #9 - 1805 Victoria Drive, phone: 604.665.6009

Fire Hall #12 - 2460 Balaclava, phone: 604.665.6012

Fire Hall #13 - 790 E 24th, phone: 604.665.6013

Fire Hall #14 - 2804 Venables, phone: 604.665.6014

Fire Hall #15 - 3003 E 22nd, phone: 604.665.6015

Fire Hall #18 - 1375 W 38th, phone: 604.665.6018

Fire Hall #19 - 4396 W 12th, phone: 604.665.6019

Fire Hall #20 - 5402 Victoria, phone: 604.665.6020

Fire Hall #21 - 5425 Carnarvon, phone: 604.665.6021

Fire Hall #22 - 1005 W 59th, phone: 604.665.6022

Water shut off keys are not available at the following Fire Halls

#6 1001 Nicola

#7 1090 Haro

#8 893 Hamilton

 

Jumper Hoses

Jumper hoses are used to supply temporary water to a house in the event that the home is without water due to Waterworks construction or Waterworks emergency repairs. The jumper hoses allow the home to be connected to another water source e.g. neighbours house for a short period of time to allow for uninterrupted water supply. Neighbours must give their permission for the hose to be connected to their house. If the Water disruption is caused by Waterworks crews working in the area, Waterworks will bring the hose out to the homeowner and connect the hose for them. Jumper hoses can be borrowed from Waterworks if the homeowner is doing work on their property and needs the temporary connection (and has their neighbours permission to do so). They are available for pickup from Manitoba Yards Reception during business hours (7am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays). Jumper hoses must be returned within 7 days. Failure to do so will result in a replacement charge of $100.00.

Steps to operate the water shut off valve to your house/building

Note that these general instructions apply only to where the water service pipe being shut off is 50mm ( 2 inches) or smaller. For water services larger than 50mm, only City crews are to operate these valves as per City bylaws.

The water shut off valve to your house/building is located under the water valve cover. For instructions on how to find your water valve cover, go the Locating your Water Service page.

Shutting off your water

Once you have acquired a water shut off key, you can follow the diagram below to close the shut off valve which will turn off your water. For most shut off valves, it will only take one-quarter turn CLOCKWISE to close the valve and turn off the water. Note that most shut off valves are designed to turn only one-quarter turn, they do not spin around and around. Sometimes the valve may be tight and will require some effort to turn.

The shut off valve just keeps spinning around

If the shut off valve just keeps spinning around when you try to turn it the one-quarter turn clockwise or counter clockwise, this may indicate the shut off valve is broken. Having said that, in rare circumstances it may be just an older style of shut off valve that does not stop spinning at one-quarter turn. If this may be the case, then turn the valve slowly in small increments, watching for the water flow to decrease. Keep doing this until you find a spot where the water flow stops.

Turning your water back on

To turn your water back on, you need to reopen the shut off valve. To do this, turn the shut off valve one-quarter turn COUNTER-CLOCKWISE (the opposite of step 3 below).

Still having problems?

If you are still having problems with the shut off valve, you can call to request a City Waterworks crew to come investigate. Please note tht under certain circumstances, you may be charged a call-out fee which will be explained to you by the 311 operator.