Skip to main content
Back to Resources
Back to Resources
08/09/2025

How to reduce water usage on medium pressure systems

Reducing water consumption in medium pressure systems is essential for improving efficiency, lowering operational costs, and promoting sustainability. This guide outlines two effective methods:

1. Install Spearhead Nozzles

What They Are:

  • Spearhead nozzles produce a concentrated spray pattern with a spray angle between 0° and 15°.
  • This allows for the same impact with less water flow.
spearhead vario nozzle

Why Use Them:

  • Lower flow rate without compromising performance.
  • Ideal for targeted applications where precision and impact are key.
spearhead spray pattern

How to Implement:

  1. Assess current nozzles and identify those with wide spray patterns or high flow rates.
  2. Replace with spearhead nozzles suited to your application and system pressure. Foodclean can recommend correct sizes.
  3. Test spray impact to ensure cleaning or coverage performance is not affected.
  4. Adjust positioning if needed to optimise spray coverage with the narrower angle.

2. Use Inline Fixed-In Restrictors on Drop Points

restrictor

What They Are:

  • Fixed-in restrictors are flow control devices fitted directly into piping at drop points.
  • They limit water flow to a predetermined rate.

Why Use Them:

  • Prevents overuse of water at specific outlets.
  • Prevents excessive water flow in situations where incorrect nozzles in being used
  • Ensures consistent flow across all points of use.
  • Simple, low-maintenance solution.
orifice

How To Implement Them:

  1. Identify drop points where flow exceeds what is required.
  2. Choose restrictors with a fixed orifice size suitable for your desired flow rate.
  3. Install inline at each relevant drop point, ensuring a secure fit and seal.
  4. Monitor performance to confirm flow is adequate for the task.

Tip: Combine with pressure gauges to verify that restrictors are not causing excessive pressure drops.

Tip: Use water limiters to reduce pressure for specific areas i.e. sensitive machinery

Summary

 

Method Benefit Key Consideration
Spearhead Nozzles Maintains spray impact with less water Choose correct nozzle size
(there is only one size of spray angle on spearhead nozzles)
Inline Restrictors Controls and reduces flow per drop point Ensure proper sizing

By using spearhead nozzles and inline fixed-in restrictors, you can significantly reduce water usage in medium pressure systems without sacrificing performance.

More Resources

See all resources
  • filed swab
    Guides

    How to Respond to a Failed Swab Test: A Practical Guide for Hygiene Managers

    A failed swab test is not just a red mark on an audit; it’s a valuable diagnostic tool. However, rather than using more chemicals, stronger chemicals, or increasing the titrations, in most cases, the issue is not the chemical itself. It’s the rinsing or cleaning process that hasn’t been executed correctly.
  • ChemPipe to help distribute and dilute chlorinated chemicals
    Chemical

    Remote Dilution and Distribution of Chlorinated Cleaning Chemicals

    Can I Remotely Dilute and Distribute My Chlorinated Cleaning Chemical? This is one of the most common questions in the cleaning systems industry - and for good reason. With the widespread use of chlorinated detergent products, the demand for chlorine-resistant system components has never been greater.
  • how to wear ppe
    Guides

    When protection fails, everything stops: Your WashGuard PPE Wear & Care Guide

    It’s all it takes for your factory’s hygiene standards to collapse - putting operators, customers, and your entire operation at risk. Improper PPE care doesn’t just reduce protection - it can spread contamination, compromise food safety, and trigger a shutdown no one can afford. This guide explains exactly how to wear, clean, and care for your WashGuard PPE, so your team stays safe, compliant, and contamination-free.