A dishwasher (10) is provided with a flapper valve (60) for directing water from a recirculation pump (34) to spray arms (18) or a drain (48). The valve (60) is spring (62) biased toward a recirculate position and solenoid operated to a drain position. An inlet (32) of the pump (34) is provided with a downwardly curved suction pipe (35) having a generally horizontal bell mouth (33). The dishwasher (10) has a sump (14) separated into a pump chamber (30) and a collection chamber (28). The pump inlet (32) is located in the pump chamber (30) and has a mouth (33) that is located below a level of the bottom of the collection chamber (28). Wash liquid is pumped through a venturi (42) in the collection chamber (28) to a drain (48).