Abstract: An automatic faucet system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor includes an emitter constructed and arranged to emit light having a first polarization toward an object. The sensor further includes a detector configured to detect light reflected from the object having a second polarization that is different from the first polarization. The controller is operatively coupled to the detector. The controller is configured to supply water to a faucet, or other water supply, upon sensing by the detector the light having the second polarization. By sensing in such a manner, the level of false positive readings in the system is reduced. The detector is further configured to determine the location of the object so that the faucet is only activated when the object is in close proximity to the faucet.