How should commercial dishwashing machines discharge their wastewater?

Dishwashing machines in commercial settings should discharge their wastewater through an air gap or an air break to ensure proper sanitation and prevent contamination. An air gap is a physical separation between the end of the discharge pipe and the flood level of the sink or receptacle, which effectively prevents any backflow of wastewater into the machine. This setup is crucial because it helps prevent the risk of cross-contamination between the potable water supply and wastewater.

By utilizing an air gap or air break, the possibility of harmful bacteria entering the clean water system is significantly reduced, maintaining public health and safety standards. This method also adheres to plumbing codes and regulations that emphasize safe wastewater management.

In contrast, while employing a grease trap might be suitable for certain types of wastewater discharges, dishwashing machines specifically require methods that ensure no potential backflow contamination occurs. Directly discharging into the sewer lacks the necessary safety and sanitation measures, and siphoning is not a recognized safe method for draining commercial dishwashing machines.