Columbia Water customers get temporary permission to cut off water at meter
January 4, 2018
From Wednesday, January 3, through 8 a.m. Monday, January 8, Columbia Water is granting temporary permission for customers to shut off their water at the meter if they experience a water line break and do not have a shut-off valve installed on the property.
The freezing temperatures have caused an increase in burst pipes for home owners and businesses around Columbia leading to an increase in requests for emergency cut-offs. However, Columbia Water crews are also managing an increase in weather-related breaks in City-owned lines as they work in these wintery conditions.
“We want to keep our people safe, but we also recognize how much damage a burst pipe can cause, especially in this freezing weather,” says Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water. “This temporary permission will do just that.”
Customers can generally find the Columbia Water-owned cut-off valve inside their meter box. Normally, customers are not allowed to adjust the meter, the meter cut-off, or any lines owned and maintained by Columbia Water. Instead, Columbia Water recommends that every property owner equip their pipes with an emergency shut-off valve. However, many homes and businesses may not have one installed. The temporary permission will allow these property owners to prevent additional damage during this winter emergency.
Columbia Water is the water, sewer, and stormwater utility owned and operated by the City of Columbia, SC. For more information, visit www.ColumbiaSCWater.net.
