Make a Splash with the Minnesota Water Saving Bulk Buy
Increase your profits with water-saving equipment upgrades!
Campaign complete as of October 1st, 2011. Campaign recap and impact report coming soon.
For questions about running this program in your own community, please contact Michelle Vigen at vigen010@umn.edu or call 612-626-0455.
If you are interested in purchasing a spray valve, visit www.itseasybeinggreen.com.
Check with your local utility who is responsible for your water heating to see if there is a rebate available. Click here to see utility rebates.
What are they, you ask? Pre-rinse spray valves are used to remove food before placing the dish in the dishwasher or sanitizer. Faucet aerators screw on to the end of your faucet to regulate the flow of water.
The campaign: Through October 1st, 2011, Minnesotans took advantage of bulk-rate prices on efficiency upgrades to their pre-rinse spray valves and faucet aerators, dramatically cutting their water and energy use with these simple, inexpensive upgrades.
Utility Rebates: Several utilities in Minnesota offer rebates for pre-rinse spray valves. Click here to find rebates.
Announcements |
Media Coverage |
 See the official Program Announcement for the Water Saving Bulk Buy Program, and share our Press Release. |
 Watch a video featuring Las Mojarras Restaurant in Minneapolis, who upgraded their spray valve and has been enjoying the savings!
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| Contact | Take Action | Brochure |
 Michelle Vigen CERTs Campaigns 612-626-0455 |
 See actionsteps to get started with this campaign |
 Download theprogram brochure to share with colleagues |
| Campaign Partners |
 Niagara Conservation www.niagaraconservation.com Niagara Conservation is committed to providing their customers with energy- and water-saving products of the highest quality, with the least possible impact to the planet’s resources. They are headquartered in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey with satellite offices around the world. |
 Energy Smart www.mnenergysmart.com Energy Smart is a program run through Minnesota Waste Wise, a nonprofit affiliate of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce that helps organizations identify energy efficiency and conservation opportunities and make energy improvements. |
| Campaign Contents |
Action Steps: What to do 
- Learn: Check out our brochure (1mb pdf) and more resources below (if you need them) so that you understand the technologies and the opportunity for savings.
- Test Sprayer: Determine if you should upgrade your commercial kitchen pre-rinse spray valve(s) by testing the flow rate of your current spray valve(s). To measure your spray valve flow rate, spray water into a graduated bucket for 15 seconds, and multiply the amount of water collected by four. You should upgrade your spray valve it uses more than 2 gallons per minute.
- Test Aerators: Determine if you should upgrade your hand washing stations in your commercial kitchen, bathrooms, and hand-washing stations by checking the flow rate of each of your current faucets. These models are not ideal for residential use. You can check the gallons per minute of your current aerator by reading the side of it. You should upgrade your faucet aerators if they use more than 1.5 gallons per minute.
- Questions Before Ordering? From bulk buy details to product information, we have answers in our Frequently Asked Questions
- Order: Fill out the online form to place your order. You will need to enter the flow rates of the spray valves and faucets you plan to replace. CERTs encourages local chambers and business associations, as well as other groups, to organize group orders in their community to save on shipping costs. In this case, you’ll just need to fill out the order form once for everyone you’re working with.
- Follow-Up: Tom from Niagara Conservation will follow up with you in 1-2 weeks to confirm your order and arrange for payment (credit card, invoice, etc.)
- Delivery & Install: Receive and install your new spray valves and faucet aerators.
- Recycle: Did you know that you can give your old spray valves and aerators to scrap metal recyclers in Minnesota? Click here to see a map of locations and here for a list from the Pollution Control Agency.
- Share your Story: Tell us how we did and how things are working out for you by leaving a testimonial and completing a survey that CERTs will send out to you at the end of the program.
Video: Mojarras Mexican Restaurant in Minneapolis Saving Water, Energy & Money with Efficient Spray Valve
Cutting back on water and energy use means more money to spend elsewhere in the business and less wasted resources down the drain. Minnesota 2020’s Tom Niemisto stopped in to Las Mojarras Mexican Restaurant on Lake Street in Minneapolis to see the sprayers in action, and talk to owner Oscar Reyes about the difference so far.
More Resources: Dig Deeper 
The resources below will help you to fully understand high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valves.
- Product Detail Sheet for Spray Valve – Niagara N2180
Official manufacturer product specifications for the spray valve we’re offering in this program.
- Product Detail Sheet for Faucet Aerator – Niagara N3205N
Official manufacturer product specifications for the aerator we’re offering in this program.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions before you place your order? From bulk buy details to product information, we have answers in our FAQ.
- Case Study: Installing Your Pre-Rinse Spray Valve
This case study takes you step by step through the process of replacing a pre-rinse spray valve.
- Savings Calculations Chart
Shows water, energy, and money savings for both spray valves and aerators.
- Food Service Technology Center – Pre-Rinse Spray Valves
Basic information and a list of efficient brands and models.
- Food Service Technology Center – Savings Calculator
A quick tool for estimating your savings. See the Savings Chart above, or contact your utilities to obtain your local pricing information.
- Alliance for Water Efficiency – Commercial Food Service Introduction
Provides a list of Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification studies on completed programs.
- Case Study: City of Calgary – Pre-Rinse Spray Valve Program Final Report
A final report from a municipal-led replacement program.
- Case Study: Region of Waterloo – Pre-Rinse Spray Valve Pilot Study
A final report from a regional replacement program.
- Report: Addressing the Energy-Water Nexus – A Blueprint for Action
This May 2011 publication of the Alliance for Water Efficiency and American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy brings together water and energy use and looks at integrated strategies for reducing both.
Brochure: Download and Go 
Heading to a meeting? Not going to have an internet connection for a while? Want something simple to share with people in your community?
Download the program brochure (1mb pdf)
Share: Help Others Take Action!
Download our Brochure and Program Announcement and share them with anyone who can benefit from this campaign! You should also use the megaphone below to spread the word via email, Facebook, Twitter, and more!
If you’re looking for high-resolution documents and photos, just download our Promotion Kit (12mb) packed with useful content.
Hover over or click on the megaphone
to share this campaign with others
Stories: Learning & Inspiration 
Have a story to share? If you took this action, we want to hear from you. After telling a little bit about yourself, please tell us about the following, along with anything else you’d like to share:
- How did you hear about this campaign?
- Why did you choose to purchase and install a new pre-rinse spray valve?
- How many did you purchase and install?
- How was the installation process?
- What types of benefits have you already experienced?
- Would you recommend that others upgrade to high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valves?
- Do you have any tips or advice for others??
It is not required, but it would be great if you could also include your name and contact info. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the comment form.
Clean Energy Resource Teams