After 8 years city of Windsor still protected

City of Windsor assisted by Devine & Associates.| Windsor, Ontario, Canada. A city of approximately 200,000 citizens.  | Flood protection

The problem

Addressing Flood Challenges in Windsor: Stormwater Check Valves Come to the Rescue

Windsor, a city bordered by Lake St. Clair to the north and the Detroit River to the west, faces unique geographical challenges. The flat terrain, coupled with some inland areas lying below the river and lake elevations, has made it susceptible to flooding, especially as the population grows, and new subdivisions emerge in flood-prone regions. Recent weather patterns, characterized by higher river and lake levels and sudden, intense thunderstorms, have exacerbated these concerns.

Modernizing Windsor's Infrastructure: Eliminating Combined Systems

The City of Windsor has undertaken significant efforts to phase out its combined sanitary and stormwater infrastructure system. While substantial progress has been made in this regard, remnants of the combined system still linger.

Efficient Flood Control: Wastop Stormwater Check Valves

To address these challenges, the city has deployed various types of flood control valves over the years, including flap gates. Regrettably, these conventional check valves proved less effective and demanded frequent maintenance.

Innovative Solutions: Wastop Stormwater Check Valves in Action

In 2009/2010, Windsor took a significant step by installing its first Wastop inline check valves in the northern part of the city along Riverside Drive, adjacent to the Detroit River. To mitigate the risk of high-water events, the city erected berms to shield the more inland areas. To channel stormwater from lower-lying lands into the river, pipes were laid beneath these berms. However, a drawback emerged when rising river levels led to backflow through these pipes, resulting in land inundation.

Wastop Backventil

Solution

WaStop® Inline Check valve

Preventing Reverse Flow with WaStop Check Valves

In the battle against floods and reverse flow in their stormwater and sanitary systems, the City of Windsor found a formidable ally: WaStop check valves. These innovative flood control valves allowed the city to maintain nearly full capacity flow toward the river while blocking any reverse flow.

Effortless Installation, Zero Maintenance

Installing WaStop check valves proved to be a breeze for the city. Not only did they provide a robust solution to the reverse flow challenge, but they also required no maintenance. After eight years of dependable service, the City's operations group can confidently affirm that WaStop check valves demand virtually zero maintenance, ensuring consistent functionality.

Scaling Up for Resilience

The City of Windsor has now embraced these storm drain backflow preventers, with close to 60 Wastop inline check valves seamlessly integrated into its extensive piping systems. Beyond the Riverside Drive area mentioned earlier, these check valves find their place within manholes scattered across city streets.

Unwavering Reliability in Unpredictable Climates

WaStop check valves play a crucial role in preventing flow reversal within the combined sanitary/storm system, ensuring that fluid flows unidirectionally through the piping. Recognizing the necessity of these flood control valves, the City continues to incorporate WaStop check valves into its expanding infrastructure. As they brace for the impacts of changing climate conditions, including unusual high water and heavy rainfall events, the City of Windsor remains confident in the reliability of these stormwater check valves. They understand the enormous costs associated with flooding and have placed their trust in WaStop check valves to deliver unwavering performance when it matters most.

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