How do I isolate the mains supply from a meter in the road?

I need to do some work on the supply pipe from the road into the property, can anyone advise me as to how I cut the supply from the meter in the street? The meter has a plastic type handle sticking up but this seems very fragile & feels like it would snap if I turn it?

Am I being thick or missing something as I cant see a simple isolation valve........ I would rather just carry this out simple task myself without phoning the water authority but I get the feeling a special tool is needed?

I am in Dorset, Wessex water.

I would greatly appreciate some help if anyone has the answer.

Thanks

Mike

[ProffesorPlumb]

Hi Mike,

There should be a way of either turning the handle by hand, or by using a stop key, which is basically a long bar with a handle and a 'crutch' type socket to accept the fitting on the stop tap.

With regards to the water company charging you the earth, you will be pleased to know that water regs 1999 stipulate that it is the responsibility of the water undertaker (wessex water in your case) to maintain the water supply from the main through the communication pipe to the stop tap. It is your responsibility from the stop tap through the supply pipe and into your home. So basically, you can turn away at the tap, and if it breaks, its the responsibility of wessex water to come and sort it out

What have you got to lose?

Chase Plumbing Academy

[redd]

Hello -
new member aboard!

my understanding is that the stopcock in the street belongs to the water Board. They will charge to come and turn it off (about £40 up our way) - if they break it, they will fix it. If you turn it off and it breaks , you pay the repair bill... which is going to be BIG. Every time i change a stopcock (the one in the house) or relocate it, I get the water board out. Often the access hole is full of crud and needs cleaning out - very awkward - occaisionally the cable laying companys don't put the paving stone with the access hole back in the right place!! Always makes for an interesting job!
regards, redd

[bbb]

redd is right, someone I know had to pay along the lines of 2k for breaking the mains stopcock

[Chase Plumbing]

It seems that varying water undertakers have different rules then.

Generally, it is their responsibility to ensure that water can be isolated to a premises in case of emergency. This means ensuring the stop cock also functions.

[fizzput]

Don't forget the time it take for the undertakers to come and sort out a duff meter outside of emergency situations....anything up to a year i've been quoted (kingston area..)!! The plastic key always feel flimsy but just when you think it's actually cracked, it's more likely the bugger has done it's job and you can then happily turn the water off.

[wiggikins]

A lot of these "T" handle type stopcocks are only 1/4 turn to full off.