Do you know where your curb box is?
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Call the City for help to adjust the height, repair or locate it
As the summer weather continues, you may be wrapping up renovations to your outdoor space or thinking about taking on a new project. The City of Vaughan is reminding everyone to call before doing anything around your curb box. That includes lowering or raising it, repairing it or renovating around it.
Every property in Vaughan has a curb box, also known as a water service valve, at the property line that controls the water running to a home or building from the City's watermain. This is an outdoor water shut-off, in addition to the one you have in your home. It is a round metal plate, approximately 10 centimetres in diameter, located on the front lawn, driveway or sidewalk of a property. The curb box is owned and operated by the City, however, it is the homeowner's responsibility to keep it accessible.
If you are paving, resurfacing, excavating or landscaping your driveway or front lawn, never touch or cover your curb box. Contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or submit a request through Service Vaughan to arrange a free inspection to locate the curb box a minimum of two weeks before any work is set to start. Taking these steps ensures it remains operational, undamaged and potentially avoids additional costs associated with repairs. Private contractors are prohibited from touching or operating curb boxes under Water By-law 177-16 (PDF). If the curb box becomes damaged due to outside contractors, the City will repair it and charge back the homeowner.
The City should also be contacted when:
- the curb box height needs to be adjusted to avoid a tripping hazard.
- the cap is missing or damaged.
- the curb box is leaking.
The City is responsible for managing water distribution and wastewater collection services to nearly 335,000 people and more than 19,000 businesses. Vaughan's drinking water comes from Lake Ontario and is treated by the City of Toronto and Peel Region. York Region supplies clean, treated water to the city of Vaughan.
For more information about your curb box or for images of instances where a repair must be made, visit vaughan.ca/water.
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