Pressure Regulating Valves
Water District 17 requires homeowners to install pressure regulating valves (PRV) because of the
large variation in line pressure caused by fluctuations in demand and the hilly terrain. Although there are large
pressure regulating valves in the mains at various locations, the line pressure can vary from 50 to 150 psi or even
higher in the event of a valve failure. Your home should have no more than 80 psi to the plumbing system, and your
PRV is there to protect your system. If this valve is not adjusted properly, you could experience full line pressure
at your home. Individual homeowners are responsible for ensuring their PRVs are operating and set properly to provide
40-60 psi to the home regardless of the line pressure.
The PRV is located on the customer side of the meter box after their shut off valve. These are
typically protected by a piece of green or white PVC pipe. Look at the adjusting nut on top of the PRV. If this nut
is screwed all the way down, your regulator is wide open and essentially being bypassed. This means your house is
experiencing full line pressure. If this is the case at your house, you need to adjust your PRV yourself, or call a
plumber to adjust it.