House Connections may be used to locate the service line from the main to the house at the shut-off valve. Which component serves as the reference point for this method?

• A. Shut-off valve
• B. Water meter
• C. Gas valve
• D. Backflow preventer

Answer: (A)

When using House Connections to locate the service line from the main to the house, you need a fixed, identifiable point on the line to anchor your tracing. The shut-off valve is that anchor because it sits directly on the service line between the main and the building and remains in place as a clear, accessible reference. Once you locate and mark the shut-off valve, you can use it to trace the path of the service line toward the main or toward the house, confirming where the line runs and where it enters the structure. Other components like the water meter, gas valve, or backflow preventer serve different purposes and aren’t used as the primary reference point for locating the service line in this method.