Safe stopvalve operations

We strongly recommend that a qualified plumber is engaged to undertake the operation of the external stop tap, which belongs to Essex & Suffolk Water, and that the correct stop tap key is used.

When operating the stop tap, great care should be taken not to damage the stop tap as this may affect the ability to control the flow of water to the property or compromise water quality.

Make sure the chamber is inspected for potential dangerous objects prior to operating the stop tap. Under no circumstances should hands enter the stop tap chamber.

In most cases, the external stop tap will not have been operated for some time and the spindle in the body of the stop tap may be difficult to move. A constant pressure on a stop tap key will normally rectify this. However, sudden sharp movements on the key can often lead to leaks on the joints where the stop tap connects to the communication pipe. This can also result in a leak from the packing gland.

Normally three and a half full clockwise rotations will fully shut the stop tap. Excessive force should not be used if the flow of water is not completely isolated when the stop tap is believed to be in the off position. Working the stop tap up and down once or twice can often improve the situation.

When opening (anti-clockwise) the stop tap to restore water to the property, make sure that at least one mains-fed first draw off tap is fully open to allow for any debris to clear the system. Fully open the stop tap, turn it back down a small amount for ease of use in the future. Some first draw off stop taps have only a quarter turn 90º rotation left/right to either fully open or fully close the stop tap. These can be operated as above.

Some stop taps are directly tapped into the water main, these are known as stop tap ferrules. Instead of the three and a half (anti-clockwise) turns to isolate the supply, the stop tap ferrule takes approximately 13 full turns and will require some working of the stop tap ferrule to isolate the supply. Extreme caution should be taken when operating a stop tap ferrule. Any damage will require the water main to be shut off for repair work to be carried out. This will be charged to the person responsible for the damage.

If a property is on a shared water supply the other households affected must be informed of the intention to isolate the supply, giving enough time to store adequate water supplies for the duration of the interruption.