If a pipe bursts under your house at 11pm, you need to shut the water off in 30 seconds, not 30 minutes. Knowing how to do this before it happens can stop thousands of dollars of damage.
Where the meter usually is
For Rocky homes connected to town water, the meter is near the front boundary, usually at the corner of the property closest to the street. Look for a rectangular plastic or concrete box flush with the ground. Older Allenstown and The Range homes often have the meter inside a small concrete pit with a metal lid. Newer estate homes have it tucked into the garden bed near the footpath.
If you cannot see anything obvious, check your Fitzroy River Water bill. It usually has the meter number and sometimes a hint about location.
How to turn it off
Lift the lid (heavy on older meters - a flathead screwdriver helps). Inside you will see a meter dial and a tap or lever right next to it. Turn the tap clockwise, or push the lever flat. Water to the whole house stops within seconds.
Test it before you need it
Walk out now and try turning the valve. Some valves have not been moved in years and seize up. If yours will not turn, call a plumber to replace it. A stuck mains valve is the worst thing to discover at 2am.
For homes on tank water
If you are on rainwater tanks, the shutoff is at the pump or right at the tank outlet. Know where these are. The pump usually has a power switch you can turn off as well, which stops the water flow immediately.
Other emergency shutoffs to know
Gas shutoff. The gas meter has a valve at the gas line. Quarter turn perpendicular to the pipe stops the gas. Worth knowing before there is a leak.
Electricity main switch. In the meter box. Big red switch. Turn this off if water is anywhere near electrical equipment.
Hot water system isolation. There is usually a small valve on the cold water pipe going into your hot water tank. Closing this isolates the tank without shutting off the rest of the house. Useful if the tank itself is leaking but the rest of the plumbing is fine.
Other emergencies that mean shut off
Burst pipe anywhere visible. Major leak under the house. Hot water tank discharging continuously. Any flooding inside the house.
After you shut off
Call a plumber. Most Rockhampton plumbers (us included) handle emergency callouts. Bursting pipes during business hours: 30 to 60 minute response. After hours: 1 to 2 hours.