Tideflex CheckMate Inline Check Valve Prevents Stormwater Backflow in Ann Arbor, MI
Challenge
During typical rain events, the Allen Creek Drain would rise significantly and backflow into a connecting storm sewer, causing flooding on heavily traveled streets and properties adjacent to the storm sewer. As a result, the City of Ann Arbor installed a duckbill check valve to help prevent the backflow. Unfortunately, the valve protruded out from a retaining wall and was damaged by violent surging that occurred at the mouth of the drain during storms.
Solution
The City of Ann Arbor needed an inline check valve that would be out of the flow path, prevent backflow and also open with positive gravity flow to drain the storm line. An all-rubber construction was ideal as it would allow for minimal user maintenance and durability in submerged or weather-exposed conditions. It would also require the ability to open with very little head pressure.
The Tideflex CheckMate® Inline Check Valve was installed, and immediately solved the problem. The CheckMate® Check Valve slipped entirely inside the pipe, pressed securely into the pipe I.D. using a stainless steel expansion clamp. Installation was simple, with no mechanical parts. The valve’s all-rubber design alloed it to open with as little as 1" of head pressure. Designed to close silently, the CheckMate® seals tightly in up to 40' of backpressure with no leakage.
Results
Using the CheckMate®, the City of Ann Arbor was able to prevent storm water backflow from Allen Creek Drain onto streets and surrounding properties. The inline design removed the valve from the surge path, protecting it and making it nearly unnoticeable to the public.