Turning On Your Water
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- Kobe City Waterworks Bureau
- Turning On Your Water
Procedures by phone
Notification is required when using water supply, turning off water supply, or turning off and using water
supply (moving within the city).
(Notification is required to start or stop the use of water supply. When you are moving within the city,
notification is also required to stop and start the use of water supply.)
Please contact the Customer Service Center of the Waterworks Bureau.
- * You can also make a payment at the service counter of a bank or financial institution.
Waterworks Bureau Customer Service Center
Phone: 078-797-5555
Open hours: 9:00-17:15 (excluding weekends, national holidays and New Year holidays)
- * We are open on Saturdays (excluding national holidays) from mid-February to mid-April during the moving season.
- * We can deal with English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Please call us and you will be connected to an automated voice service.
Please press “1” for applications to start or stop water service, and press “2” for other matters.
If no selection is made within a certain period of time, you will be automatically connected to “2.
Please note that your call will be recorded so that we can accurately understand the content of your call.
Turning On Your Water (Houses and Apartments):
-
1
Identify where your water meter is located.
The water meter is typically found outside, usually near the entrance to the house, or beneath a hatch in the ground within the building premises. (Please see reference images below.)
Meter Pit (Pavement-type)
Meter Box (Wall Panel-type)
-
2
Open your water meter box.
Insert a screwdriver or similar tool into the notch in the hatch cover, and open the lid as shown.
Pull the handle and open the meter box as shown.
※ If you do not know where your meter box is, or if there is no designated meter for your residence, or if there are multiple meters present and you do not know which meter is for your residence, please contact the Water Bureau Customer Service Desk (078-797-5555).
(Open Hours: Weekdays, 9AM – 5:15PM
※Please note that we cannot respond outside of business hours.) -
3
Open the shut-off valve:
① Check that ALL faucets in your house are shut off.
② Gently turn the knob of the shut-off valve found connected to the water meter (see reference images below).
⇒ When first turning on your water, it is possible that muddy water or air may come out of the faucets. Please run the water for a brief period of time before using it.Knob-type: turn the knob 90 degrees counterclockwise to open.
Handwheel-type: turn the handle counterclockwise until it cannot move further. Do not overtighten.
※ If the knob or handle is stiff and cannot be turned, please contact the Water Bureau Customer Service Desk (078-797-5555).
(Open Hours: Weekdays, 9AM – 5:15PM
※Please note that we cannot respond outside of business hours.) -
4
Check for water leakage.
Once you have turned on the water, be sure to check for any water leaks. Confirm that the pilot on the water meter is completely stopped (see image for reference), and that there is no water leakage around or near the water meter.
※ During this process, around 10L of water may enter the toilet tank. If the pilot is spinning continuously, this indicates a potential water leakage.How to Read the Pilot:
Once water is coming out of the faucet(s), the process is complete.
Turning On Your Water (Residential Apartment Complexes):
-
1
Identify where your water meter is located.
The water meter is inside a closed compartment with several pipes, usually near the gas/electric meter. It is most often found behind a panel or door near the entrance to the apartment (commonly outside).
(Example of panels where water meter is located)
-
2
Open your water meter box.
The water meter may be inside of a protective case. Please open your panel, and if said protective case is present, please open the case and check the water meter.
※ If you do not know where your meter box is, or if there is no designated meter for your residence, or if there are multiple meters present and you do not know which meter is for your residence, please contact the Water Bureau Customer Service Desk (078-797-5555).
(Open Hours: Weekdays, 9AM – 5:15PM
※Please note that we cannot respond outside of business hours.) -
3
Open the shut-off valve:
① Check that ALL faucets in your house are shut off.
② Gently turn the knob of the shut-off valve found connected to the water meter (see reference images below).
⇒ When first turning on your water, it is possible that muddy water or air may come out of the faucets. Please run the water for a brief period of time before using it.Knob-type: to open, turn the knob 90 degrees in the direction as indicated by the “あける” sign.
※ Water is open when meter knob is parallel to the water pipe.
Knob-type: turn the knob 90 degrees counterclockwise to open.
※ Water is open when meter knob is parallel to the water pipe.
Handwheel-type: turn the handle counterclockwise until it cannot move further. Do not overtighten.
※ If the knob or handle is stiff and cannot be turned, please contact the Water Bureau Customer Service Desk (078-797-5555).
(Open Hours: Weekdays, 9AM – 5:15PM
※Please note that we cannot respond outside of business hours.) -
4
Check for water leakage.
Once you have turned on the water, be sure to check for any water leaks. Confirm that the pilot on the water meter is completely stopped (see image for reference), and that there is no water leakage around or near the water meter.
※ During this process, around 10L of water may enter the toilet tank. If the pilot is spinning continuously, this indicates a potential water leakage.How to Read the Pilot:
Once water is coming out of the faucet(s), the process is complete.