To shut off the water to your house at the meter, you typically need a "water meter key" which is a specialized t-shaped tool used to access and turn the valve on your water meter box.

This week, the City of Austin began giving out winter weather supplies, but one tool that’s going fast could save your home: water keys.

Water Meter Key When working on the supply side of your plumbing system, you will need to turn off the water to that fixture.

When temperatures dip below freezing, it’s also important to have a water meter key and know how to use it. The tool has a slot on one end that fits over the shutoff valve. Once the tool is in ...

Those supplies and tools include a water meter key, insulation for pipes, hose bib covers, battery-powered radios and flashlights, and one gallon of water per person and per pet for seven days.