Water / WasteWater

Water / Wastewater Valves

Proco Products, Inc. has been supplying water and wastewater treatment plants with cost-effective, durable rubber check valves for decades. Our experience in these industries over the years includes the development of sturdy, high-quality expansion joints and rubber duckbill check valves to assist in the control of back pressures while resisting corrosion and breakage from harsh conditions.

See our guide below to understand how Proco Products’ rubber check valves are used alongside other valves in the water and wastewater industries.

What Is a Wastewater Valve?

A wastewater valve controls fluid flow and pressure, from complete shut off to volume regulation in a drain or pipeline. Wastewater valves are constructed to meet the challenge of handling sewage and grit. Valves can allow two-way flow, or the use of check valves maintains single direction flow.

A Guide to Choosing Water / Wastewater Treatment Valves

From water collection and treatment for homes and industry to final discharge into rivers and waterways, valves in piping systems perform various tasks regulating the flow and pressure of fluids. The transport of wastewater adds additional challenges compared to clean water as it carries solids which create abrasive wear on systems, especially valves. Wastewater valves are constructed to resist wear using specialized steels, rubber and polymers.

Valve Type	Strengths	Weaknesses	Ideal Applications
Ball Valves	Quick shutoff & bi-directional flow control – Reliable & low maintenance – good for throttling	High initial cost – limited throttling precision	On / off isolation, throttling, general purpose
Butterfly Valves	Quarter-turn operation. Can be used in large diameter applications and can handle abrasive slurries	High pressure drop at high flow rates. Not leak-proof	Large-diameter pipelines, abrasive slurries, gravity lines
Gate Valves	Robust & leak-proof – Excellent high-pressure & throttling capabilities	Slow operation and can suffer from seat galling	Isolating pipelines, throttling high-pressure flows
Check Valves*	Prevent backflow & protect equipment (see specific options below)*	Limited flow control	Ensuring process integrity, protecting pumps
Globe Valves	Precise flow control & throttling	Higher pressure drop than ball valves – More complex maintenance	Pump discharge lines, bypasses, viscous fluid
Plug Valves	Simple & reliable on/off isolation	Limited throttling capabilities – Not ideal for high-pressure or abrasive fluids	Smaller pipelines, on/off isolation, low-pressure lines
Rubber Duckbill Valves	Self-cleaning, clog-resistant, lightweight with no mechanical parts to wear out	Ensure correct pressure rating not suitable for throttling	Sludge lines, backflow prevention

*Check valve choice depends on pressure and noise considerations, and these options include swing check, lift check, and silent, long life, low maintenance rubber check valves. You can see more about Proco Products’ range of rubber duckbill valves here

Water / Wastewater Treatment Valve Choice Considerations

It is necessary to consider flow characteristics, corrosiveness and abrasiveness, and any potential chemical reactions with the valve. Choosing the right material is crucial for valve longevity and performance:

Abrasive Slurries: Choose valves made with abrasion-resistant materials like stainless steel or rubber elastomer check valves.
Corrosive Chemicals: Choose valves made of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel or PVDF, depending on the specific chemical composition.
High-Pressure Demands: Select valves rated for the specific pressure requirements of your application, utilizing heavy-duty designs and reinforced bodies.

Common Materials Used for Wastewater Valve Construction

PVC: Cost-effective & lightweight for low-pressure, non-abrasive applications.
Stainless Steel: Excellent corrosion resistance for chemicals & temperatures.
Ductile Iron: Strong & abrasion-resistant for high-pressure & high-flow sludge applications.
High-Performance Polymers (PVDF, PFA): Superior chemical resistance for aggressive chemicals.
Elastomers: Rubber check valves can withstand harsh, corrosive fluids without rusting or deteriorating. See Proco Product’s range of check valves.

Wastewater Valve Operation Options

Manual Valves: Cost-effective for infrequent adjustments and readily accessible locations.
Electric Actuators: Offer precise control and remote operation, ideal for automated processes and centralized control systems.
Pneumatic Actuators: Fast-acting and powerful, suitable for safety shutdowns and high-pressure applications.
Elastomer Rubber Check Valves require no operator or powered input and will open and close with fluid flow according to their pressure specification.

From water purification to managing and controlling sewerage and wastewater, each water treatment valve has a specific use and ideal operating parameters. Proco Products is a global leader in the design, manufacturer and specification of rubber check valves and expansion joints, maintaining one of the largest product inventories in North America. For more information on expansion joints and rubber duckbill check valves from Proco Products, Inc. and to check pricing and availability, contact us today. You can find a useful check valves specification application form and a water / wastewater expansion joints and valves applications sheet here.

Water / Wastewater Valve – Rubber Check Valve Resources

Valve Sizing: Use flowrate calculations and engineering charts to ensure optimal valve selection and efficient system performance. Proco Products provide full sizing and interchangeability information – see our guide here.
Installation: Follow manufacturer’s guidelines and best practices for proper installation, ensuring long valve life and leak-free operation. See installations guide for all our products here.
Maintenance: Implement a regular preventative maintenance program to identify potential issues early and prevent costly downtime. Proco Products offer a comprehensive preventative maintenance survey service.
If you would like to see more, take a look at our case studies page to see Proco Products in action.