Click in ... click out ... revolutionary new odor screen for gullies

Nering Bögel has been developing innovative solutions for optimal infrastructure for more than 250 years, and its focus has included finding solutions to the stormwater problem.

A well-known problem that municipalities often have to deal with: a broken or missing odor screen in gullies. The result is a non-functioning gully which can lead to sewer blockages, water on the street, litter in the surface water or an unpleasant sewer smell. 

"A odor screen is an essential part of a gully," says Toin Bongers, general manager at Nering Bögel.  "It is hung in the outlet fitting so it can be easily taken out when inspecting or cleaning a gully. After that work, it should be hung back in place. Unfortunately, odor screens unintentionally become loose and disappear. That's where Nering Bögel has the solution!"

New generation click valve

Nering Bögel developed a new plastic hinged odor screen: The click valve. "The blue click valve is specifically for Nering Bögel gullies. The red click valve fits other concrete/cast iron gullies in the Netherlands," says Bongers. "Even in already installed gullies, the cast iron loose odor screen can therefore be easily replaced by this innovative click valve." The new click valve is fixed in the outlet chamber, but is just as easy to take out again. "This spring-loaded valve closes with sufficient force on the seat of the exhaust chamber and can be opened with manual force. So ideal for maintenance and inspection, because the sewer can be flushed through without having to remove the valve. 

Biggest advantage: no more open valves in the gully!"

Sublime resilience for good sealing and ability to flush the sewer without removing the valve.

Combi cast iron - plastic

Bongers explained that the outlet fitting (the connecting stub to which the sewer pipe connects) remains cast iron.  Only the valve will be plastic. Why cast iron? "Cast iron has proven to be a sound, durable and sturdy material. The gully is then easy to install using a gully boy."

Synergy 

"We are working with Delft-based start-up BluChain to explore the possibilities of building sensors into the click valve," continued Richard Janssen, owner of Nering Bögel. "You can't see these but they collect data that are passed on to the manager. Think of data about blockages, leaks, dams in the sewers and the like. We are also developing a multifunctional rainwater prediction and warning system in collaboration with this start-up. With this we give managers of engineering structures (such as viaducts and tunnels) time to act to prevent traffic jams, among other things."

"I am sure that this high-tech forecasting and warning system from BluChain can be combined with our future street gully data. That way we can monitor a large area or a city district with respect to flooding." Janssen concludes, "Predictability of the water system contributes positively to intervening on its effects."