Switching off external stop cock - is this a stop cock?

[boolie]

Background - new house, needs modernising; hence many threads. I only go there on the weekends though so you'd better get used to me.. I'm in it for the long haul. Takes me two hours to get there!


I think this is the external stop cock. It was under a manhole cover. First question.. is it a stop cock?
Second question, how do you switch the water off (if it is indeed a stopcock)

I was reticent to try anything because I think it supplies four properties.

 

[CBW]

Yes it’s an external stopcock, and looks like a quarter turn type. So horizontally across the valve is off, test by running the cold main in the house.

 

[Old Salt]

That’s a water meter and I think the blue handle only isolates the meter but I could be wrong.

 

[boolie]

I'm not even sure if it feeds my house to be honest.. there was a label in it that said 'feeds four properties'

Will turn it off this weekend for a minute (or until I get a mouthful from someone in the shower). On second thoughts I'll turn it off at about 11pm.. that should save me rubbing up the new neighbours the wrong way

 

[CBW]

I'm not even sure if it feeds my house to be honest.. there was a label in it that said 'feeds four properties'

Will turn it off this weekend for a minute (or until I get a mouthful from someone in the shower). On second thoughts I'll turn it off at about 11pm.. that should save me rubbing up the new neighbours the wrong way

I’m not sure why a meter would feed 4 properties? Seems pretty useless. What’s the reason you need to shut off outside? Are you changing the internal one?

 

[boolie]

I’m not sure why a meter would feed 4 properties? Seems pretty useless. What’s the reason you need to shut off outside? Are you changing the internal one?

They're quite old houses and I know there's some complications about shared access and where the sewage runs.. I own the access road which goes past 4 properties, then this meter is just outside that road.

Yes, planning to upgrade the kitchen and the stopcock is in an awkward position. So not an immediate concern but at some point will need to turn off the external cock for a bit. This was the label in it.. I'm thinking it might relate to the 'other' four houses next to mine

 

[CBW]

Is there a house number 4? Not necessarily 4 houses imo.

 

[boolie]

Is there a house number 4? Not necessarily 4 houses imo.

lol never thought of that.. yes that does make sense! funny how having a second pair of eyes turns the whole thing on it's head

 

[Jajodu]

Now that made me laugh.