Your internal stop tap turns off the water inside your home, and it is the first thing to reach for if a pipe bursts. In most houses it is under the kitchen sink. In flats it may be in a cupboard on the landing, or under the bath.

Turn it clockwise to close it. Do it once now, gently, so you know it works and where it is. If it is stiff or leaks when you turn it, a plumber can replace it in under an hour.

The outside stop tap, under a small metal cover near your boundary, belongs to us. Please do not use it unless we ask you to, because turning it can disturb the main and discolour your neighbours' water.