【Municipal Emergency】 What to Do If an Indoor Water Pipe Suddenly Bursts
Applicable Situation:
A water pipe, toilet, or water heater suddenly starts leaking or spraying a large amount of water, with the potential to flood your floors and cause significant property damage.
Immediate Steps
1. Shut Off the Main Water Valve Immediately
Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve and turn it clockwise to stop the water supply.
- Detached House: The main shut-off valve is commonly located in the basement, utility/mechanical room, near an exterior wall, or inside the garage.
- Condo/Apartment: The unit shut-off valve is often found behind a small access panel near the laundry area, bathroom, or underneath the sink.
Turning off the water immediately helps prevent further flooding and water damage.
2. Open the Lowest Faucet
After shutting off the main water supply, open the lowest faucet or shower in your home.
This allows the remaining water in the pipes to drain out, reducing pressure at the damaged section and minimizing further leakage.
Who to Contact
Condo or Townhouse Residents
Contact your Strata Emergency Line immediately.
Notify the Building Manager or Caretaker so they can:
- Shut off the building or zone water supply if necessary.
- Arrange emergency water extraction through the building’s insurance-approved restoration company.
Detached Houses / Public Water Supply Issues
If the water leak is outside your property, such as near the municipal water meter, roadside, or public water main, contact your local municipality immediately.
For example:
- City of Vancouver
- 311 (within Vancouver)
- 604-873-7000 (outside Vancouver)
Indoor Plumbing Repairs
For leaks inside your home, contact a licensed local plumber.
You can find trusted licensed plumbers in the Community Business Directory (“Caring Business Directory”) on this website.
Metro Vancouver Public Water Emergency Contacts
(Updated: 2026)
For life-threatening emergencies (such as major water main breaks causing immediate danger), call 911 first.
For other issues involving public water infrastructure—such as water main breaks, road leaks, hydrant leaks, or municipal water supply problems—contact your city’s Public Works or Engineering Department.
| City | Daytime Phone | After Hours / 24-Hour Emergency |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 311 (within city) or 604-873-7000 | 311 (24/7) |
| Richmond | 604-276-4000 | 604-270-8721 |
| Burnaby | 604-294-7200 | 604-294-7200 (24-hour service) |
| Surrey | 604-591-4152 | 604-543-6700 |
| Coquitlam | 604-927-3500 | 604-927-7387 |
| Port Coquitlam | 604-927-5420 | 604-927-7387 |
| Port Moody | 604-469-4574 | 604-469-4552 |
| New Westminster | 604-527-4592 | 604-526-4691 |
| Delta | 604-946-3260 | 604-946-4141 |
| North Vancouver（City） | 604-987-7155 | 604-988-2212 |
| North Vancouver | 604-990-2311 | 604-990-2311 |
| West Vancouver | 604-925-7100 | 604-925-7152 |
| Langley | 604-514-2800 | 604-514-2800 |
| Langley | 604-532-7300 | 604-543-6722 |