Backwater valve with control linkage

A backwater valve, comprising:

• a hollow valve body having an inlet and an outlet;
• a valve member pivotally movable about a pivot axis between an open position in which the valve member is away from the inlet and a closed position in which the valve member directly engages and covers the inlet to prevent fluid flow through the inlet, the pivot axis being disposed above the inlet;
• a counterweight in communication with the valve member that biases the valve member toward a normally open position above the inlet, the counterweight moving toward a top of the hollow valve body as the valve member moves toward the closed position;
• and
• a float in communication with the valve member that closes the valve member in the presence of water, the float moving toward a top of the hollow valve body as the valve member moves toward the closed position.