Key to Shut Off Water at Street?

Is this the key I would use to shut the water off at the street valve?
http://www.simsupply.com/p-58991-27-water-meter-key.aspx

Is this the standard type that most cities use, or do they have a custom head typically?

There are numerous keys...you'd have to compare the exact size and shape. Then, it may or may not be legal for you to turn it off. Generally, the utility owns it, and if it gets damaged by you, you pay, which may include a fine.

That is a general purpose U-shaped end, which would work on many valves. But it yours has a stubby square head, that probably won't grab it. How deep is your valve?

Around here, if you need the city water valve turned off, you call them. They will respond within the hour , 24/7.

Thanks for the responses. I know where my cover plate is, but never actually opened it and looked inside. I just called and they said they will come out and turn it off, and back on without too much of a delay, so that works for me.

Most of the time just having the city turn the water on/off does work just fine. Problems is, there are times when you might need to cut the water immediately. For example, one time I was working in my basement near where the 1" supply line entered the house. There was a ball valve that the plumbers had installed 4 or 5 years before this when they installed the new pipe. I bumped my step ladder against the valve and the next thing I knew, the valve was completely off the pipe and I had water coming into my basement under 90 psi! I went to my meter box and discovered the rod to shut the water off had a rectangular end that required a special tool. I tried pipe wrenches and an adjustable wrench, but couldn't get enough leverage to turn the valve. I called the city and found the only one on duty was on a call on the other side of town. He came as quickly as he could, but you can imagine how much water I had collected by then. The next day, I had a welder friend make my a key. I have used it a couple of times when I had other problems. It's true the city usually doesn't want you to have a key, but I'll accept their wrath if I even get called on it, but if/when I have another emergency, I can deal with it.

Depending on your area, you could either need a "Buffalo Box" key or a meter key. Both use the same end, but 27" would usually be much too short for a Buffalo Box/curb stop valve.

Gary

That's why I always liked Flare fittings up to the first valve on a water service. My current house has a 3/4 service with the worst looking solder joint on the main valve, I am going to fix it some day but for now I just steer clear of it. That must have been some mess