Methods and systems for sensor fouling mitigation

A water control system in a food processing system, comprising:

• a flow path coupled to a process water supply in a stage of the food processing system;
• a temperature adjustment element disposed in the flow path and having an inlet and an outlet, the temperature adjustment element being configured to:
• receive, at the inlet of the temperature adjustment element, a first portion of process water from the process water supply via the flow path, wherein the process water in the process water supply and the received first portion of the process water have a first temperature;
• and
• cause the first portion of the process water at the outlet of the temperature adjustment element to have a second temperature, different from the first temperature;
• and
• a sensor coupled to the outlet of the temperature adjustment element and configured to measure at least one property of the first portion of the process water received from the outlet of the temperature adjustment element, wherein the first portion of the process water measured by the sensor is not returned to the process water supply, wherein a second portion of the process water is directed away from the inlet of the temperature adjustment element, and wherein the flow path is configured to direct the second portion of the process water back to the process water supply.