The industry’s only completely watertight pollution containment valve, the Toggleblok™, is now available from Hydro International, supported by a full design, commissioning and maintenance service from Hydro International’s specialist Water Pollution Management team.

In an agreement officially announced at Flood Expo, Hydro International is working with manufacturer Sandfield Engineering to market the technology-leading Toggleblok™ Drop Seal Valve, as well as providing design, installation and servicing of Toggleblok™ valves for both companies.

Nationwide, there are already more than 150 installations of the Toggleblok™. Toggleblok™ is installed on a series of UK sites, and is helping facility owners prevent damaging surface water pollution incidents. The Toggleblok™ valve was invented by David Cole, Hydro International’s consultancy division Water Pollution Manager, and developed for manufacture by Sandfield. David Cole commented:

“The Toggleblok™ is a water-tight and failsafe valve for pollution, flood water or spill containment and the only valve we would recommend for organisations obliged to comply with UK environmental protection regulations, according to the CIRIA 736 industry standard guidance."

Pollution containment is critical for sites operating under the Control of Major Accidents and Hazards (COMAH) 2015 or Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations (EPR) 2010. It should also be integral to any compliant Environmental Management System (EMS) – or for those companies working to IS0 14001.

“Often penstock valves are wrongly considered as an acceptable containment solution, but it’s important for any organisation at risk of a pollution, flood or fire water incident to understand that a penstock is first and foremost a flow control device and therefore is not designed to be 100% leak proof and water tight when containing low pressure gravity flows,” explained David Cole.

“To be sure to avoid a pollution incident, and potential prosecution, it’s advisable to fit a watertight valve, as well to ensure the correct sizing and location of the valve in the drainage system, fitted and maintained by a specialist. Hydro International offers the complete package.”

The Toggleblok™ is a retrofittable drop seal valve that protects receiving water courses by blocking the release of flood water, polluted or fire fighting water from a site’s storm drains. The Toggleblok™ valve’s mechanically locking failsafe design ensures the valve remains fully closed and sealed once activated until it is safely unlocked by an operator. Manufactured from stainless steel, it is factory pressure tested to ensure zero leakage to up to 0.5 bar pressure.

The valve can be closed remotely by means of bi-directional radio control or cloud-based communications systems. It can also be activated automatically via a site’s fire alarm or Building Management System. Operated by a pneumatic power source, the valve is safe to use in a confined space or explosive atmosphere.

The Toggleblok™ is available either gulley or chamber-mounted to fit a range of standard pipe sizes and a site’s existing stormwater drainage systems. It is normally positioned close to the drainage outlet to a watercourse, but can also be fitted at the inlet to the site to help protect against flooding of the on-site drainage network.

Hydro International’s Water Pollution Management team offers a complete service including advice on correct location and sizing of the Toggleblok™, installation on site, commission and testing. Regular servicing ensures systems stay operational at all times. Hydro International’s hydraulic modelling and flood risk consultants can also advise on the full performance of a site’s overall water pollution management provision.

“By working with Hydro International to specify and install a Toggleblok™, companies have the reassurance of a value for money solution that is engineered, delivered and maintained by water pollution experts,”  David Cole added.

For more information, please contact David Cole on 01275 878371 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . www.hydro-consultancy.com