Dipper well
Encyclopedia
A dipper well is a perpetual-flow sink
often used in coffeehouses and ice cream shops to rinse utensils. Ice cream scoops
and other food-preparation utensils can be placed under the continuous stream in order to remove allergen
s and protect against bacterial growth
. Most dipper wells have a single spigot and can be adjusted for both hot and cold water use. As largely a commercial
appliance
, dipper well valve
s are typically kept at full flow during all serving hours. Dipper wells have also been used as key components in pharmacological experimentation.
as "wasteful" since on average it pumps 30 to 60 US gal (113.6 to 227.1 L) of water an hour and is normally left running continuously. Because its potential for water waste is counteracted by a potential for increased sanitation, most health
regulations do not prohibit or mandate dipper wells. It was estimated in 1988 that a dipper well running 12 hours a day in a single business
could use up to 260000 gallons (984.2 m³) of water yearly. It was found that some establishments, however, left dipper wells running even while the business was closed.
Starbucks Corporation, for example, was targeted in 2008 for "wasting" over 6 million USgals (22,712.5 m³) of water daily through use of dipper wells. The company's health and safety regulations prohibited the immediate shut-off of Starbucks dipper wells in order to prevent the breeding of pathogen
s, but meanwhile continued work towards environmentally friendly
washing alternatives.
Sink
A sink is a bowl-shaped plumbing fixture used for washing hands, for dishwashing or other purposes. Sinks generally have taps that supply hot and cold water and may include a spray feature to be used for faster rinsing...
often used in coffeehouses and ice cream shops to rinse utensils. Ice cream scoops
Scoop (utensil)
In common usage, a scoop is any specialized spoon used to serve food.In the technical terms used by the food service industry and in the retail and wholsale food utensil industries, there is a clear distinction between two types of scoop: the disher, which is used to serve ice cream, measure a...
and other food-preparation utensils can be placed under the continuous stream in order to remove allergen
Allergen
An allergen is any substance that can cause an allergy. In technical terms, an allergen is a non-parasitic antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals....
s and protect against bacterial growth
Bacterial growth
250px|right|thumb|Growth is shown as L = log where numbers is the number of colony forming units per ml, versus T Bacterial growth is the division of one bacterium into two daughter cells in a process called binary fission. Providing no mutational event occurs the resulting daughter cells are...
. Most dipper wells have a single spigot and can be adjusted for both hot and cold water use. As largely a commercial
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
appliance
Small appliance
Small appliance refers to a class of home appliances that are portable or semi-portable or which are used on tabletops, countertops, or other platforms in the United States of America...
, dipper well valve
Valve
A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
s are typically kept at full flow during all serving hours. Dipper wells have also been used as key components in pharmacological experimentation.
Criticism
The dipper well has been criticized in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as "wasteful" since on average it pumps 30 to 60 US gal (113.6 to 227.1 L) of water an hour and is normally left running continuously. Because its potential for water waste is counteracted by a potential for increased sanitation, most health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
regulations do not prohibit or mandate dipper wells. It was estimated in 1988 that a dipper well running 12 hours a day in a single business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
could use up to 260000 gallons (984.2 m³) of water yearly. It was found that some establishments, however, left dipper wells running even while the business was closed.
Starbucks Corporation, for example, was targeted in 2008 for "wasting" over 6 million USgals (22,712.5 m³) of water daily through use of dipper wells. The company's health and safety regulations prohibited the immediate shut-off of Starbucks dipper wells in order to prevent the breeding of pathogen
Pathogen
A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...
s, but meanwhile continued work towards environmentally friendly
Environmentally friendly
Environmentally friendly are terms used to refer to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies claimed to inflict minimal or no harm on the environment....
washing alternatives.