Portable & Permanent Wash Bay Systems
Trade Enviro supplies portable and permanent wash bay systems for regulated industrial and marine environments.
Portable Wash Bays
Relocatable, surface-mounted systems. Ideal for temporary sites or leased properties.
- No excavation or underground drainage required
- Relocatable systems suitable for heavy equipment, mining machinery, and construction fleets
- Configurable with bunding, diversion, and treatment components
- Fast to deploy and easy to relocate
Permanent Wash Bays
Fixed wash bay installations engineered for long-term, high-volume washdown operations.
- Custom engineered for commercial car wash bays, truck wash bays, and transport yards
- Integrated drainage, screening, diversion, and treatment options
- Configurable to support council trade waste approval processes
- Engineered for durability and long service life
Council Approval?
Trade Enviro supplies the technical documentation and system information commonly required as part of council trade waste approval processes. Our compliant portable systems start from $11,500.”
Call 0434 314 803Wash Bay System Components
Every wash bay system is built around a combination of containment, water management, and treatment components. While portable and permanent wash bays define the system type, performance and performance and regulatory outcomes depend heavily on how these core components are configured.
Bunding (Primary Containment)
Rubber floor bunding forms the physical containment area of many wash bay systems, helping isolate wash water from surrounding stormwater. It is a critical component in both portable and permanent wash bays where surface-mounted, flexible containment is required.
View Bunding SolutionsDiversion & First Flush Systems
Diversion systems are commonly used in unroofed wash bays to manage rainfall. These systems divert contaminated wash water to trade waste while allowing clean stormwater to pass during rain events. First flush systems are often used in larger wash bay areas where residual contaminants may remain on the surface.
View Trade Waste SystemsOil Water Separators
Oil water separators are a key treatment component in many wash bay systems, particularly where sewer discharge is proposed. They are used to remove hydrocarbons, sediment, and other contaminants prior to discharge and are commonly required as part of council trade waste approval.
View Oil Water Separator| Wash bay type | Best for | Typical applications | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable Wash Bays | Temporary, leased, or remote sites needing fast deployment | Fleet operators, hire yards, remote and temporary worksites | Portable Wash Bays → |
| Permanent Wash Bays | Fixed sites with high wash volumes and long-term infrastructure | Transport depots, workshops, industrial yards | Permanent Wash Bays → |
Custom Wash Bay Design & Configuration
Every site is different. Trade Enviro supplies wash bay systems that can be configured to suit space constraints, vehicle types, wash frequency, and discharge requirements. With over a decade of experience supplying wash bay-related systems, we help clients assess bunding, screening, holding tanks, treatment, reuse, and pump-out options to support effective wash water management.
Beyond standard vehicle washing, we also configure systems for specific industry needs including quarantine wash bays, weed hygiene, and horse/stable wash downs.
Roofed vs Unroofed Wash Bays
Trade Enviro supplies both roofed and unroofed permanent wash bays, helping you choose the best option for your site conditions, operational needs, and council compliance requirements.
| Unroofed Wash Bays | Roofed Wash Bays | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower initial cost | Higher investment |
| Build time | Faster installation | Longer construction period |
| Access & clearance | No vertical restrictions, ideal for oversized machinery | May limit height clearance |
| Stormwater compliance | Requires a diversion system to separate wash water from clean stormwater runoff | Protected from the weather, ensuring consistent operation |
| Weather protection | Open-air, exposed to rain and heat | Protected from weather, ensuring consistent operation |
| Best suited for | Large open sites, heavy machinery, mining and transport yards | High-throughput car washes, workshops, and all-weather operations |
Unroofed wash bays reduce construction costs and provide unrestricted access for oversized vehicles and equipment. However, rainfall entering the wash area must be managed using diversion or first-flush systems to prevent contaminated runoff entering stormwater.
Roofed wash bays prevent rainfall from entering the wash area, reducing reliance on diversion systems and allowing washdown operations to continue in all weather conditions. The most suitable option depends on site layout, operating conditions, and budget.
Trade Enviro can assist with selecting the appropriate configuration and coordinating system design based on your operational needs and compliance pathway.
FAQs
Do I need council approval for a wash bay?
Yes, most wash bays requireCouncil approval requirements depend on how wash water is managed. Sewer discharge typically requires a trade waste permit, while pump-out or reuse systems may not.
Which wash bay is best for leased sites?
Portable wash bays are commonly used on leased or temporary sites where permanent civil works are restricted.
Can wash bays handle heavy vehicles?
Yes. Both portable and permanent wash bays can be configured for cars, trucks, and heavy machinery depending on design and loading requirements.