Careful of your curb box!

Are you planning to do home renovations this summer? What about repaving your driveway? Don’t forget about the curb box – also known as a water service valve! This round metal plate, approximately 10 centimetres in diameter, is located on your front lawn, driveway or sidewalk. It’s owned and operated by the City of Vaughan and controls the water running to a home or building from the City’s watermain – in addition to the water service valve you have inside your home.

The water distribution system is a shared responsibility between the City and the homeowner:

• The City is responsible for the public portion of the system, running from the watermain to the municipal property line.
• Beyond the property line is the private portion of the system and the homeowner's responsibility.  

What to know before shovels hit the ground

The City does not re-locate curb boxes. If a curb box must be moved due to a renovation or rebuild, a new water service connection is needed. An application can be made online for a residential service connection request. If a curb box requires repair or needs to be lowered, please submit a request online through Service Vaughan.

The curb box should be accessible at all times. If you are paving, resurfacing, excavating or landscaping your driveway or front lawn, never tamper with or cover the curb box. To arrange a free curb box inspection before any work is started, submit a request through Service Vaughan or contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Taking these steps helps ensure the curb box remains operational, undamaged and potentially avoids additional costs associated with repairs.

Property owners can request to turn the City’s water supply on or off to complete repairs or renovate a home or building. Submit a non-emergency request four to six weeks before shut off or turn on is required.

Keep in mind, private contractors are prohibited from operating curb boxes under the Water By-law 177-2016 (PDF). If a box is damaged due to outside contractors, the City will repair and back-charge the homeowner.

If you have an emergency leak or a pipe has burst from a City watermain, immediately call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.

For more information on the City's water services, visit vaughan.ca/water.

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