Skip to main content

Water supply in your council home

beta This is the improved Camden website. Tell us what you think.

Water supply in your council home

It's important to know some basic things about your water supply, including what to do if:

  • water pipes are frozen
  • your water supply goes off
  • the toilet system or storage tank is overflowing

Find your stopcock  

Ensure you know where the main stopcock is for turning off the water supply. It's sometimes under the kitchen sink. There may be other stopcocks in your home to shut off certain parts of the pipe. You should know where they are as well in case of an emergency.  

Turn the stopcocks 2 or 3 times a year to keep them from getting stuck. If a stopcock is stuck, try using a lubricant like WD40. Do not try to force it. If it still will not turn, call us on 020 7974 4444.  

If your storage tank or toilet system is overflowing 

Storage tanks and toilet systems have overflow pipes to prevent flooding. If a system is overflowing, you'll notice a constant flow of water either from an outside pipe or from one into your bath or washbasin.  

If you cannot stop the overflow, report a repair. 

If your water supply goes off 

If for any reason your water supply goes off, turn all the taps off and leave sinks, basins and baths clear with the plugs out. This stops any flooding when the water comes back on.  

If your pipes are frozen  

If your pipes freeze, turn the water off at the main stopcock and drain the system by turning on all the taps. When the pipes thaw out, turn the water supply back on.  

Do not heat a frozen pipe as this will make it burst. If you have a burst water pipe, call us on 020 7974 4444.  

If you have a water leak, find out where the water is coming from. If it's a faulty joint, or a hole or split in the pipe, tie a rag around the leak and put a bucket under it. If water has been dripping through an electric light or switch, do not turn it on. Call us on 020 7974 4444.  

Keep shower heads clean 

To maintain good water hygiene in your home and control the normal build-up of bacteria in the water supply, we recommend you clean shower heads with a suitable household cleaner every 3 months. This also applies to shower hose attachments on bath taps.  

If you've been away from home for a few weeks or more, run the shower for 5 minutes before you use it.