a non - clogging liquid distribution assembly especially adapted for use in counterflow water cooling towers is provided which includes a hollow - cone , swirl - type nozzle and a series of circularly arranged , arcuate water - dispersing buttons disposed below the nozzle for breaking up water sprayed from the latter and uniformly dispersing the same over a relatively wide planar area in order to ensure adequate water cooling . the configuration and orientation of the buttons is carefully chosen so as to ensure that individual water particles from the nozzle angularly impinge against the dispersing buttons for maximum water breakup . the assembly is constructed for safely clearing foamed plastic or cellular synthetic rubber balls conventionally placed in cooling water systems to clear condenser tubes or the like . these balls are sized for a particular condenser tube system and vary from 1 / 2 in . to 11 / 2 in .