A new Benbrook homeowner spotted three colorful knobs and two cast-iron pipes poking out of the ground and asked the question most of us would: what is this thing, and is it safe to touch?
Neighbors chimed in with familiar guesses. Some saw signs of an old irrigation setup. Others suspected a house water shutoff. A few pointed to a backflow assembly that once protected a sprinkler system. The nearby soaker hose only added to the puzzle.
Here is the practical playbook for anyone facing the same mystery:
What it likely is
- Irrigation or backflow assembly. Older homes often have manual valves and a backflow preventer that keep yard water from re-entering the drinking supply. Benbrook Water Authority explains how these devices are used and maintained on its Backflow and Cross-Connection page at benbrookwater.com/159/Backflow-Cross-Connection. benbrookwater.com
- House water shutoff. Some properties have a private shutoff so you can stop water inside the home without opening the city meter box. For utility guidance, start with Benbrook Water Authority at benbrookwater.com or Customer Service at benbrookwater.com/169/Customer-Service. benbrookwater.com+1
Smart next steps
- Do a clean uncover. Carefully clear dirt and gravel so labels, arrows, or test ports are visible. Photograph everything before and after.
- Do not spin valves at random. If it is a main shutoff or backflow, turning knobs could cut water to the house or stress old fittings.
- Check with BWA. Their backflow program contact and forms are listed online and the main site has account and service links:
- Backflow program and contacts: benbrookwater.com/159/Backflow-Cross-Connection benbrookwater.com
- Pay, start service, or ask questions: benbrookwater.com/171/Pay-My-Bill and benbrookwater.com/170/Manage-Your-Account. benbrookwater.com+1
- Call a licensed pro. A plumber or licensed backflow tester can identify the assembly, test it, and label the valves. One local option shared by residents is Triple E Plumbing at triple-e-plumbing.com with contact details at triple-e-plumbing.com/contact. triple-e-plumbing.com+1
- If it is irrigation, label and winterize. BWA notes most systems use reduced pressure zone backflow assemblies that need seasonal protection and periodic testing. See their advisory at benbrookwater.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=207. benbrookwater.com
Why it matters
Correctly identifying a shutoff or backflow device saves time during leaks, prevents contamination of your drinking water, and keeps you in step with local requirements. If you uncover an abandoned system, a pro can cap lines, remove unsafe parts, and leave a clearly marked shutoff for future emergencies.
Have a similar mystery fixture in your yard? Send photos and location to news@benbrooklife.com or visit BenbrookLife.com. We will help track down the answer and share what we learn with the neighborhood.
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