Duckbill Check Valves Ensure Backflow Prevention During Contaminated Site Cleanup

The people of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada will now be able to finally enjoy more of their downtown as remediation of the Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens is now complete. The Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens are the result of over 100 years of steel production in the area. The contamination has had an environmental impact on about 100 hectares (274.1 acres) of land. The project was the largest contaminated site cleanup ever planned in Canada.

PROCO Products Inc. of Stockton, Calif., was proud to be a part of the cleanup, supplying 18 of its 900 mm ProFlex® 710/NN rubber duckbill check valves. The check valves were provided with barnacle- and algae-resistant materials and were to be used as backflow preventers in the process to contain contaminants in cement on this project. The ProFlex® check valve will aid in making this space safe and beautiful for Cape Bretoners to enjoy for many generations to come.

The ProFlex® duckbill valve is widely used as an ideal backflow device whenever there is a concern of possible backflow up a stream channel. In this project, the effluent was to flow out to the sea, but the customer did not want infiltration of salt water back into the work area. The ProFlex® duckbill check valves that were supplied offer very low head cracking pressures and high back pressure capability. Another added benefit of using the ProFlex® duckbill check valve in this application is its 35-50 years of service life.

Cape Breton students were given the opportunity to show the country how creative they were in naming the park being built on the remediated Sydney Tar Ponds site. The chance to name the new park gave the students a meaningful role and voice in helping shape the community's future. After a national online vote, "Open Hearth Park" was chosen as the new name for the park. The winning name was submitted by Rob Sinclair's 6th grade class at MacDonald Elementary School.

The efforts of the remediation have provided many social and economic opportunities for the area. The redevelopment will also provide vital social returns, one of them being better health benefits, which will improve the quality of life for the residents of Cape Breton.

PROCO Products Inc. is an exhibitor at the WEFTEC.13 event and can be found at Booth No. 3945.