Where Is My Main Water Shutoff?

Where DWU says to look

From Dallas Water Utilities:

• Near an outside faucet and close to the house
• Near the irrigation valves, often by the property line, in homes with sprinklers
• In older homes, buried in the ground with a quarter-inch iron "L" handle; turning it perpendicular to the pipe stops the flow

No shutoff?

DWU suggests considering having one installed. In an emergency, 311 can shut water off at the meter.

Test it

Find and gently test the valve before an emergency. If it is seized, have a plumber replace it.

Related Dallas plumbing services

• Pipe Repair in Dallas

Sources

• Dallas Water Utilities — Request emergency services / how to turn off your water
• Dallas Water Utilities — Prepare Your Home for Winter

Official sources, checked October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm current requirements with the issuing agency.