How to Turn Off Your Water Main in Sydney

When a pipe bursts or you have a major leak, getting to the water main fast can prevent thousands of dollars of damage. Here's how to find and shut off the water in a typical Sydney home.

Where is the water main in a Sydney home?

In most Sydney properties, the main water shutoff valve is located at the front of the property near the water meter. The meter is usually in a small underground box near the street or footpath — look for a rectangular plastic lid in the ground, often marked "Water."

Turn the valve clockwise (right) to close it. If it hasn't been used in years it may be stiff — use a cloth for grip and turn firmly.

What if I can't find the meter?

• Check along the front boundary of the property
• Look near the front garden, driveway edge or under the front steps
• In older apartments or strata buildings, there may be individual meters in a meter cupboard — contact your strata manager if you can't locate yours

Isolation valves for individual fixtures

If the issue is isolated to one fixture (a tap, toilet or hot water system), you may not need to turn off the whole house. Look for an isolation valve directly behind or under the affected fixture — a small valve on the supply pipe. Turn it clockwise to close it.

After you've turned off the water

Once the water is off, call Aussie Flow Plumbing on 0450 705 772 for fast emergency assistance across Sutherland Shire, Bayside and Georges River. We're available 24/7.