Turn your water service on and off

Read the water leaks and flood guide before reporting an issue to the City of Vancouver.

You may need to shut off the water supply to your property to find the source of a water leak or to do construction or renovation work that affects plumbing systems.

To start and stop your water supply, you can:

  • Request a City crew (charges apply)
  • Do it yourself with a City shut-off key (free)

Request a City crew

Phone 3-1-1 to have a City crew locate and turn your water supply off or on. Only property owners can request a service call, unless it's for an emergency.

After your call, a dispatcher will contact the property owner to schedule your service call.

When the crew arrives, make sure that someone who can approve the service call fee is on site.

 

Water service call fees and hours

Fees are based on the scheduled time of your service call. Tax is included.

Scheduled time of service call Cost per service call
Regular service calls  
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6:00pm $100.00
Saturday and Sunday, 8:30am to 6:00pm $100.00
Emergency service calls  
Holidays anytime and all times not listed above $200.00
(includes follow-ups within 2 hours)

 We cover the cost of repairing water service leaks on City property only. If you request a service call and the cause of the leak is on private property, we will bill the property owner for the fees above. We don't repair water leaks on private property.

How to pay

The City mails you an invoice for the crew appointment. If you have questions about the charges, phone the contact person listed on the invoice.

  • Send a cheque to:

    City of Vancouver
    Revenue Services
    PO Box 7747
    Vancouver, BC V6B 8R1

     

  • Pay in person with cash, debit, credit, or cheque at: 

    Revenue Services
    Ground Floor, City Hall
    453 West 12th Avenue (at Cambie Street)

    Open Monday to Friday, except holidays, 8:30am to 5:00pm

Turn the water on or off yourself

Start by finding your water line and shut-off valve.

Find out how to locate your water line

If your water line is 50 mm (2 inches) or smaller in diameter, you can borrow a water line shut-off key for free (also called a curb stop key). Use the shut-off key to temporarily stop and restart the water service to your property on your own.

Water lines 75 mm (3 inches) or greater in diameter need a City crew to turn on and off (see the previous heading).

Don't know the diameter? Phone 3-1-1.

How to borrow a shut-off key

To sign out a key, present your photo identification in person at a location below.

The location where you can borrow a water line shut-off key depends on the diameter of your water pipes.

Water line shut-off keys are generally loaned out for 48 hours only. If you are not able to return the key within 48 hours, contact the location from where you borrowed the key to ask for an extension.

Lost keys are subject to a replacement charge of $125.00 (tax not applicable).

Water pipe diameter Location Hours

Up to 50 mm
(2 inches)

Manitoba Works Yard
250 West 70th Avenue

National Works Yard
701 National Avenue

Open daily, 24 hours.

When the works yard reception is closed, sign out a key at the security gatehouse outside.  

Up to 20 mm
(¾ inches) 

Fire halls listed below 

Open daily, 8:00am to 9:00pm.

Contact the fire hall by phone to check that a key will be available to borrow when you need it.

Fire halls that loan out shut-off keys

Fire Hall Address Phone number
Fire Hall No 1 900 Heatley St 604-665-6001
Fire Hall No 2 199 Main St 604-665-6002
Fire Hall No 3 2801 Quebec St 604-665-6003
Fire Hall No 4 1475 W 10th Ave 604-665-6004
Fire Hall No 5 3090 Rosemont (temporary location) 604-665-6005
Fire Hall No 6 1001 Nicola St 604-665-6006
Fire Hall No 7 1090 Haro St 604-665-6007
Fire Hall No 9 1805 Victoria Drive 604-665-6009
Fire Hall No 10 2992 Westbrook Mall 604-665-6010
Fire Hall No 12 2460 Balaclava St 604-665-6012
Fire Hall No 13 790 E 24th Ave 604-665-6013
Fire Hall No 14 2804 Venables St 604-665-6014
Fire Hall No 15 3003 E 22nd Ave 604-665-6015
Fire Hall No 17 7070 Knight St 604-665-6017
Fire Hall No 18 1375 W 38th Ave 604-665-6018
Fire Hall No 19 4396 W 12th Ave 604-665-6019
Fire Hall No 20 5402 Victoria St 604-665-6020
Fire Hall No 21 5425 Carnarvon St 604-665-6021
Fire Hall No 22 1005 W 59th Ave 604-665-6022

Fire Hall No 8 doesn't loan out water line shut off keys.

View a map of all fire halls

How to use the shut-off key

Learn how to use the water shut-off key to stop and start your water service

Share water during repairs

Do you need a water supply while doing repairs on your water service?

The City loans jumper hoses that connect a neighbour's tap to your property, with your neighbour's permission.

Visit Manitoba Works Yard reception to borrow a hose. Reception is open weekdays, 7:00am to 3:30pm, excluding holidays.

You must return the hose within seven days. The fee to replace a lost hose is $100.00 (tax not applicable).