I have a storm drainage system that has a flow splitter to some treatment devices.Safety valves Gate valves are shown on each side of the flow splitter for either spill control or maintenance purposes, i.e. flow to treatment devices can be shut off while performing maintenance.Plug ValvesI normally show gate valves for this purpose.I had a peer tell me to use a plug valve instead, as it is better at creating a good seal when flow streams in drainage systems have some grit and such.Reducing ValvesHowever, I am concerned about the reduced port area that would restrict gravity flow, and I have heard plug valves are very hard to operate and if they are not maintained can be impossible to budge later on.Comments?

The gate valve is used as a shut-off valve in this application, not a control valve / throttling valve.Balance Valves So, the question is whether a plug valve is better than a gate valve in a storm water system when shut-off valves are required by regulatory authorities upstream and downstream of water quality devices.API Cast Steel ValvesI've always used gate valves in the past, and don't like the reduced port size of a plug valve, but like I said, peer said he prefers plug valves so I'm trying to find out the advantages and disadvantages of going with a plug valve in this situation rather thana gate valve.Thanks in advance for your help.

Probably best choice for storm or waste water, is "None".
Gate valves are NOT designed to be used as throttling or flow control vales . They are intended to be shutoff valves to remain fully open or fully closed.

Other types to consider are :

Plug Valve
Slide Gates
Swing Gates
"Duck bill: Tide or backwater valves
Tainter Gates

Several valve makers offer Free Advice including
Globe
Golden
Crane
Many, many others

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