Pre-Rinse Spray Valves

To speed the installation of low-flow pre-rinse spray valves in food preparation establishments, an intensive education program is needed to promote the replacement of these devices in food service establishments. The District has created a pre-rinse spray valve brochure for the local governments to distribute throughout their jurisdictions.

A pre-rinse spray valve is a handheld device that uses a spray of water to remove food and grease from dishware, utensils, and pans before placing them in the dishwasher. Low-flow pre-rinse valves are inexpensive and easily interchangeable with different manufacturers’ assemblies.

A low-flow pre-rinse spray valve is one of the easiest and most cost effective water saving devices available to the food service operator. A typical pre-rinse spray valve uses 3 gallons per minute, while a low-flow pre-rinse spray valve uses 1.6 gallons per minute or less. New efficient valves on the market reduce 30 to 70 percent of the rinse water. Low-flow pre-rinse spray valves are a water conservation measure that decreases three major utility costs: water, sewer and gas or electricity (for water heating).

The dishwashing operation in a typical restaurant consumes over two-thirds of all of the water used by that establishment. In some cases, nearly one-half of the water used in dishwashing is consumed by the pre-rinse spray valve.