Independent Validation & Results
Third-Party Evidence & Real-World Results
The claims behind the CNSRV DC:02 are not self-reported marketing. They are backed by an independent utility-program field study, utility device verification, a review by a former FDA food-safety regulator, health department determinations across the country, juried industry awards, and measured results in customer kitchens. This page collects that evidence in one place.
The independent study: a massive water-saving opportunity
Under the Metropolitan Water District's Innovative Conservation Program, the independent engineering firm The Adept Group, Inc. conducted a field study — “Quantification of Water Used to Defrost Food in Los Angeles Area Commercial Kitchens” — monitoring the thawing sinks of 12 Los Angeles–area commercial kitchens and measuring real-world water use. Its conclusions:
The study concluded that one CNSRV appliance in a single commercial kitchen saves about 369 gallons per business day — roughly 114,000 gallons per year — and that across the roughly 30,000 commercial kitchens defrosting food in MWD's service area, broad adoption represents a savings opportunity of about 10,530 acre-feet of water every year: more than 3 billion gallons, in one utility district alone. The study also concluded that adoption lowers the risk of foodborne illness caused by improper defrosting practices — notably, not one kitchen surveyed fully observed FDA food-defrosting code.
Read the Full Report (PDF)Evaluated and verified by major water utilities
Water utilities do not pay rebates on unproven equipment. Before a device is added to a commercial rebate program, the utility independently evaluates its water-savings performance. The CNSRV DC:02 has been evaluated and added to the verified commercial device lists of major U.S. water agencies:
MWD, the largest water wholesaler in the United States, added the DC:02 to its verified commercial device list and pays an $800 rebate for each unit installed in its six-county service area. Details →
LADWP offers a $2,300-per-unit rebate for CNSRV DC:02 installations in its service area through the SoCal WaterSmart program. Details →
Tampa Bay Water issued its first-ever Water Wise rebate for commercial food-defrosting technology to a CNSRV installation at Whiskey Joe's in Tampa — a system the utility expects to save roughly 2,000 gallons of water every day. The installation was covered by 10 Tampa Bay (WTSP-TV).
The DC:02 qualifies for Portland Water Bureau's custom incentive program for water-efficient commercial equipment. All rebate programs →
Mambo Seafood: measured results across a multi-location group
Mambo Seafood, a multi-location seafood restaurant group in Texas, relied on running tap water to thaw product before service across its kitchens — a slow, water-intensive method that tied up staff time and drove up utility costs. After installing the CNSRV DC:02 Gen2 on their standard prep sinks, with no changes to existing kitchen infrastructure, their measured results:
Since implementation, Mambo Seafood has saved an average of $800 per month per location while giving kitchen staff back prep time during service hours.
Download the Case Study (PDF)Reviewed by a former FDA regulator and health departments nationwide
"The CNSRV DC:02 food thawing device is adequate for its intended use as an alternative to conventional running-water methods and is consistent with FDA requirements for thawing food safely in commercial kitchens. We do not encounter any unique risks or hazards with the DC:02 device."
— DR. ERIC SCHULZE, PhD · FORMER FDA FOOD-SAFETY REGULATOR · GOODHUMANS RISK ASSESSMENT, 2025The DC:02 has been reviewed and cleared by health departments throughout the country — every completed review has reached the same conclusion: no variance required. It is NSF/ANSI 169 listed food equipment (Certificate C0392286). Full documentation, including the independent risk assessment, the California Department of Public Health letter, and the NSF/ANSI 169 certificate, is on our Health & Safety page.
Recognized by independent industry juries
Awarded at the Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management's 2026 National Conference in Chicago, among 79 exhibitors. Coverage →
Named a 2026 Kitchen Innovations Award recipient by the National Restaurant Association Show's independent KI judging panel. Announcement →
The DC:02, designed with Pulse Design Group, won the professional Commercial Equipment category. Announcement →
More coverage — including the Entrepreneur founder profile and the 10 Tampa Bay news segment — on our Press & Media page.
See the evidence in your own kitchen
Run your numbers in the savings calculator, or book a live demonstration.