Spray head for automatic actuation

A water spray head for a shower (10) or sink includes means for emitting and receiving signals for automatic operation in response to the presence of a user. The means are positioned such that the stream of water surrounds the emitting (38) and receiving (40) means. The emitting (38) and receiving (40) means includes conduit means disposed within at least a portion of water supply (54) connected to the spray head (10). In one embodiment, the conduit is in the form of a fiber optic cable. In another, an emitter (38) and detector (40) are mounted in the spray head (10) and the conduit comprises electrical conductors.