What maintenance holes and water valves do

Report a maintenance hole issue

Maintenance holes are round doorways into our water, stormwater, and sanitary sewers. Our water and sewer crews access maintenance holes to inspect and maintain the pipes that carry:

• Water
• Stormwater
• Wastewater

Sewer crews rarely enter the maintenance holes. Inspections are done from the top, using cameras to inspect the pipes. Water crews do enter their maintenance holes to perform maintenance work.

Types of maintenance holes

City of Vancouver maintenance holes

A cast iron lid covers maintenance holes. Maintenance holes are marked "COV" or "City of Vancouver".

Private maintenance holes

Private utility companies like BC Hydro, Telus, and Shaw use separate maintenance holes marked with their own company name to access their underground utility lines.

Information icon If the cover belongs to a private utility company such as BC Hydro, Telus, or Shaw, contact the appropriate company directly.

Report a water valve concern

Valves are used to isolate pipes for a variety of reasons, including the repair or renewal of:

• Water mains
• Services
• Valves
• Hydrants

Valves are accessed through a valve box, located on pavement or grassed areas.

What the valves do

Valves are used to control the flow of water through water pipes. Close the valve to stop water flow, open the valve to allow it. Valves get used for a variety of reasons, usually to stop water flowing to assist in the installation and repair of water mains, services, meters, and hydrants.

Where valves are located

Valves are located several feet below ground level and are accessed through a valve box. The valve box is covered with heavy metal lid which can be seen on:

• Road surfaces
• Sidewalks
• Boulevards

Valve lids

Valve lids can become loose which is a noise nuisance when cars drive over them. They can also go missing. An uncovered valve box is an extreme safety hazard to pedestrians and vehicles. A valve lid is typically rectangular in shape and is stamped with “VWW” (Vancouver Water Works).

Report a shut-off valve concern

If reporting a shut-off valve issue:

• A replacement metal cap for a water shut-off valve on your property
• Tile work or adjustments around valve caps

Note You don't need to be at home when our crew performs these services. Cap replacements and adjustments are a low priority, and will be done as crews are available in your area.

What water service shut-off valves do

Water service shut-off valves control the flow of water to properties, and can turn off water along a water service line if repairs are required. Like valve lids, service shut-off valve covers, also known as valve caps, are marked with "VWW" for Vancouver Water Works.