The Smart Way to Stay EPA-Compliant Without Pouring Concrete (Portable Wash Bays)

When it comes to the case of staying EPA-compliant without expensive civil works or lengthy approvals, it is now possible with above-ground, modular wash bays. Need a wash bay installed in days, not months? Across Australia, more operations are discovering that portable wash bay systems offer fast, fully compliant solutions for vehicle and equipment cleaning—without ever breaking ground.

When delays, penalties, and downtime can cost tens of thousands per day, civil works are no longer practical. Portable wash bays deliver immediate functionality, plug-and-play compliance, and long-term flexibility, all engineered for the harsh conditions of Australian industries.

In every portable wash bay, control and treatment work hand in hand to manage water, oil, and heavy wash demands with precision. Each portable wash bay system is engineered to handle vehicle and equipment cleaning efficiently, capturing contaminants before they reach the environment. With permanent performance in a portable form, these solutions reduce contact with pollutants and keep every wheel turning clean. Whether in a remote case or an industrial hub, portable wash bays give operators complete control over compliance and sustainability—without pouring concrete.

A portable wash bay is a relocatable, above-ground water containment system designed for washing vehicles and heavy equipment while preventing pollutants, such as oil and heavy solids, from entering stormwater drains. Instead of pouring concrete or waiting months for trade waste approvals, a portable wash bay system can be installed, connected, and operational within days.

Each system integrates an oil water separator, bunded wash pads, ramps, and drainage control designed for industrial strength and full environmental protection. Built for industries such as mining, transport, defence, and construction, portable wash bay systems combine engineering excellence with regulatory compliance.

Key benefits include:

Portable wash bay systems eliminate unnecessary downtime while protecting your site, vehicles, and reputation.

In every portable wash bay, clean water management and advanced water treatment work together to protect both people and the planet. Designed for real-world conditions, each unit provides reliable performance for vehicle and equipment washing without the need for concrete foundations. In the case of demanding industrial use, these systems maintain efficiency through durable materials and smart design. From the first wheel cleaned to the last drop of water recovered, a portable wash bay offers a permanent solution that ensures full compliance, easy maintenance, and confident control of every contact point.

Still waiting on council approvals? That’s costing you. Modular wash bays provide a faster, more flexible path to compliance than traditional in-ground permanent builds. Traditional wash bay construction can take months and requires excavation, plumbing integration, and trade waste permits before operation. Portable systems are engineered offsite, then delivered ready to install.

Each modular wash pad and oil water separator system is designed to be plug-and-play. Heavy-duty ramps and walls ensure safe loading for vehicles up to 100 tonnes per axle and heavy equipment, while hot-dip galvanised frames resist the case of corrosion in mining and transport environments. This reduces both installation and maintenance costs, helping you avoid project delays and EPA penalties.

In every case, portable wash bays redefine efficiency through intelligent design and precise control of water and treatment processes. Built for tough environments, they manage every wheel and piece of equipment with consistent performance and minimal downtime. By reducing direct contact with contaminants and streamlining waste separation, these systems deliver faster compliance, cleaner operations, and long-term savings—all without the constraints of traditional builds.

Every compliant wash bay starts with precise engineering. EPA regulations across Australia demand that waste water from washing vehicles, trucks, or heavy equipment never enters stormwater drains untreated. Portable wash bays meet these standards through integrated design elements that manage and treat waste effectively.

1. Oil Water Separators

The heart of the system is the oil water separator. Using vertical tube coalescing technology, it removes hydrocarbons and grease from wash water before discharge, treatment, or recycling. Flow rates are available from 1,500 L/h up to 6,000 L/h, depending on your site’s needs.

2. Wash Pads and Bunding

Above-ground wash pads feature integrated bunding for total containment. Load capacities range from 1 tonne for small equipment to over 100 tonnes for mining trucks. Hot-dip galvanised steel and anti-slip surfaces ensure durability and operator safety.

3. Pumps and Filtration

Heavy-duty pumps manage flow between the wash pad, oil water separator, and treatment or recycling tanks. Each pump system can be customised for electric or solar operation, with automatic float switches for efficient wastewater treatment, recycling, and control.

4. Trade Waste and Drainage

Each system includes plumbing connections, drainage pits, and filter screens to retain solids and protect against blockages. All components meet Australian plumbing and environmental standards, ensuring discharge compliance.

5. Modular Flexibility

Each module is engineered for scalability. Whether you need a 3m pad for small workshops or a 9m wide heavy-duty pad for fleet depots, the design adapts easily. Optional roof structures, bunded pallets, wheel wash systems, and stormwater protection curtains enhance environmental safety.

Every compliant design begins with smart coordination between contact control, treatment efficiency, and equipment protection. Each system is engineered to capture, separate, and recycle wash water before it reaches the environment, ensuring every wheel is cleaned responsibly. This integration of precision-built equipment and advanced treatment safeguards both performance and compliance—delivering reliability that moves with your operation, not against it.

Across mining, defence, transport, and construction industries, portable wash bays outperform permanent wash bay installations in speed, cost, and compliance. Their flexibility makes them ideal for both remote and urban projects where space and time are limited.

Mining Sites: In harsh conditions, heavy machinery, equipment, and trucks require constant cleaning. Modular wash bays handle extreme loads, resist corrosion, and can be relocated between mine stages. No ground penetration means no EPA re-approvals when moving locations.

Government and Defence: For agencies that manage fleet depots across multiple states, compliance and uniformity are critical. Portable wash systems provide identical setups across sites, ensuring consistent EPA compliance and reduced maintenance.

Transport and Logistics: For fleet operators, downtime equals lost revenue. Portable wash pads allow quick setup in depots and truck yards, helping operators maintain vehicle hygiene without disrupting operations.

Construction Projects: Short-term and mobile sites benefit from above-ground bays that can be installed, used, and relocated within days. This prevents costly delays while ensuring wastewater and mud control on active worksites.

Equipment Hire and Automotive Workshops: Relocatable wash systems provide the flexibility to expand or downsize as business demands change. These bays reduce the need for long-term fixed infrastructure while maintaining environmental safety.

From light-duty vehicles to heavy industrial machinery, every wash cycle proves how efficiency and mobility drive modern compliance. Each portable system is built to keep equipment clean and operational while ensuring every wheel leaves the site free of contaminants. By combining durability with adaptability, portable wash bays empower industries to maintain performance and sustainability wherever the job demands.

Portable wash bays are designed to save water, energy, and costs through smart engineering and recycling capabilities. They combine heavy-duty performance with environmental protection, providing measurable savings from day one.

EPA compliance doesn’t end at installation—it’s maintained through regular inspection and upkeep. Portable wash bays simplify this process with easy-access components and modular design.

Maintenance Checklist:

Ongoing Support and Service
Professional service teams provide scheduled maintenance, ensuring ongoing EPA compliance. With Australia-wide delivery and support, assistance is available for any site—remote or urban. Spare parts, pumps, filters, and bunding materials are stocked locally for quick dispatch.

From small workshops to large-scale mining operations, WashBay HQ systems are engineered for compliance, performance, and simplicity. Every product is Australian-made, ISO-certified, and backed by engineering documentation including Form 15 certificates, trade waste approvals, and WHS compliance support.

Each wash bay, oil water separator, and recycling module is designed to work seamlessly in tough environments—from high-load mining pads to compact automotive workshops. The modular design ensures long-term scalability while keeping installation easy, clean, and compliant.

For reliable, relocatable, and EPA-compliant wash solutions, choose the smarter path: no concrete, no approvals, no downtime—just results.

Request your free quote today and get compliant in days, not months.