Guides
What Does a Pressure Washing Water Reclamation System Cost for One Truck?
A one-truck pressure washing water reclamation system costs $8,000 to $35,000 installed. Line items include a vacuum recovery cleaner, tank, filters, and controls.
What to take away
- Pressure washing water reclamation system cost:$8,000 to $35,000 installed on a one-truck setup, excluding the truck.
- Main line items are a vacuum recovery surface cleaner, a wastewater tank, a filter or settlement unit, and pump-out controls.
- Tank size, filtration level, and reuse versus haul-away drive most of the difference.
- Stormwater permits in Los Angeles and Seattle make recovery a practical cost question, not an optional upgrade.
The range for one truck
A realistic illustrative range for a small mobile operation is $8,000 to $35,000 installed, before annual disposal fees. The lower end covers a basic vacuum recovery surface cleaner, a 100-gallon poly tank, a simple bag filter, and manual pump-out. The upper end includes a 200-gallon or larger tank, multi-stage filtration, automatic shutoffs, and plumbing for on-site reuse.
Low vs High System
Low end
- Installed cost
- $8,000
- Tank
- 100-gallon poly
- Filtration
- Simple bag filter
- Pump-out
- Manual
- Reuse plumbing
- No
High end
- Installed cost
- $35,000
- Tank
- 200-gallon or larger
- Filtration
- Multi-stage filtration
- Pump-out
- Automatic shutoffs
- Reuse plumbing
- On-site reuse
The range excludes the truck or trailer, pressure washer, hoses, and nozzles. It also excludes the recurring cost of hauling or discharging reclaimed water. Those operating costs run $150 to $600 per month depending on volume and local disposal rates.
What the range covers
The range covers the hardware and labor a mobile detailer or flatwork contractor needs to capture wash water before it reaches a storm drain. Under the federal Clean Water Act, discharging process wastewater without authorization is a violation. The EPA can enforce against unpermitted discharges to waters of the United States. Los Angeles and Seattle enforce this through local stormwater permits that require containment or sanitary sewer discharge approval.
A basic system starts with a vacuum recovery surface cleaner rated for the pressure washer's flow, usually 4 to 8 gallons per minute. Connect the cleaner to a recovery tank with a vacuum hose. The tank holds slurry until filtered or pumped to an approved location.
Crew members working near splashback need eye and face protection that meets OSHA eye and face protection requirements.
Line by line
These are the line items that appear on an invoice from a mobile wash equipment supplier or fabricator.
Line-Item Cost Ranges
- Vacuum recovery surface cleaner$1,800-$7,500
- Wastewater tank and plumbing$900-$4,000
- Filtration or settlement unit$1,500-$9,000
- Pump-out and controls$700-$3,500
- Installation and wiring$800-$4,000
| Component | Low (USD) | High (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum recovery surface cleaner | 1,800 | 7,500 | Sized for 4-8 gpm flow |
| Wastewater tank and plumbing | 900 | 4,000 | Poly or steel tank, hoses, valves |
| Filtration or settlement unit | 1,500 | 9,000 | Bag filter to multi-stage reuse |
| Pump-out and controls | 700 | 3,500 | Transfer pump, float switches, shutoffs |
| Installation and wiring | 800 | 4,000 | Shop labor or mobile rig work |
| Total before permits and testing | 5,700 | 28,000 | Add $2,300 to $7,000 for permits and testing |
The table shows illustrative ranges, not a national average. The low end assumes an open trailer install; the high end assumes an enclosed van with sound-dampened pump mounts.
What moves the number
Three cost drivers dominate.
Three Cost Drivers
- $1,200-$2,500Extra for 200-gallon tank
- $3,000-$7,000Extra for multi-stage filtration
- $2,500Minimum extra for on-site reuse
First, tank size. A 100-gallon tank works for small flatwork jobs, but a 200-gallon tank avoids stops to dump and can cost $1,200 to $2,500 more. Water volume matters. A 4 gpm machine used for two hours creates about 480 gallons of slurry, so tank capacity and filter flow rate drive the price.
Second, filtration level. A single bag filter removes coarse solids for haul-away, while a multi-stage system with oil-water separation and fine polishing can push the cost up by $3,000 to $7,000.
Third, reuse versus haul-away. If the operator wants to reuse water on site, the system needs stronger filters and a holding tank with cleaner return plumbing. That adds at least $2,500.
Chemical loads change this math. When crews mix pressure washing chemicals for concrete or vinyl, the wastewater can carry detergents, degreasers, and metals. Discharge rules then require more treatment.
What quotes leave out
Many equipment quotes cover only the cleaner, tank, and filter. They leave out the vacuum hose length needed to reach truck parking, the transfer pump, and the wiring for float switches. They also omit the plumbing from the recovery tank to a sanitary sewer cleanout or a sealed container for transport.
A hazard assessment under general PPE requirements may add employer-provided gloves and boots, which quotes rarely include.
Quoted prices often omit the cost of hauling recovered water to an approved disposal point, which becomes a recurring line item.
Permit fees and testing also appear after the sale. In some cities the wastewater must pass a basic pH and solids test before sanitary discharge. The training checklist for pressure washing staff should include how to operate the recovery system and log disposal volumes.
Where people overspend
Operators overspend by buying a recovery system sized for a larger fleet or a future second truck. A one-truck operation rarely needs a 500-gallon tank and automated dissolved air flotation. Spending on a 200-gallon tank with a two-stage filter is usually enough.
Another overspend is fine polishing for water that will only be hauled to a treatment plant. If the local authority accepts settled water at an approved drop-off, the $9,000 reuse system is not required. Match the system to the discharge method.
When preparing commercial bids, Bidding Commercial Pressure Washing Jobs helps show the recovery cost as a line item instead of a hidden margin.
