How Modular Wash Bays Make Tricky Sites Simple

On the surface, many industrial sites seem ready for a wash bay upgrade. However, the real obstacles often sit underground. Subsurface restrictions, like contaminated soil, buried services, or post-tensioned tension cables, can stop a project before it even begins. Since traditional inground construction demands cutting, drilling, and excavation, these restricted sites quickly become costly, high-risk, or outright impossible.

This is where CleanaWater’s modular, above-ground wash bays become a practical alternative.

Why underground restrictions matter

A growing number of transport depots, logistics yards and older industrial facilities are built over infrastructure that can’t be disturbed. Common conditions include:

Contaminated soil

Old depots and workshops often have a long history of fuel, oil or chemical spills. In some cases, the ground may also contain asbestos from past structures or fill material. Any excavation in these conditions can trigger environmental approvals, remediation work and significant unexpected costs, potentially delaying a project.

Underground services

Sewer, power, water and communication lines can sit directly under vehicle movement areas. Digging in the wrong place risks damaging essential services and adds compliance steps.

Post-tensioned slabs

Many industrial sites sit on post-tensioned concrete slabs. These slabs contain high-strength steel cables that are tightened after the concrete cures, giving the slab extra load capacity and helping it resist cracking. They’re common in transport yards, logistics centres and other large industrial floors.

Because the cables are held under significant tension, drilling or cutting into the slab is unsafe. Damaging a cable can release stored energy and compromise the structure, which is why no slab penetration is allowed. For safety and structural integrity, this rules out conventional inground wash bay construction.

A modular, above-ground wash bay resolves this by sitting on the surface without any drilling or excavation. CleanaWater sees this scenario often, particularly on transport and logistics sites with large reinforced slabs.

A transport company solving the cable constraint

We are currently working with a transport company whose site contains tension cables throughout the concrete slab. Any penetration would weaken the structure, so their wash bay needed to be installed without cutting, anchoring or excavation. A modular system provided a straightforward solution. The bay could sit on the existing surface, with all drainage, collection and treatment components positioned above ground.

How modular wash bays overcome these constraints

CleanaWater’s modular bays are engineered for sites where the ground cannot be disturbed. Key advantages include:

No excavation

Contaminated soil, asbestos-affected ground or buried services remain untouched.

No cutting or drilling into concrete

This keeps post-tensioned slabs intact and avoids structural risks.

Flexible placement

Bays can be positioned to avoid service corridors or complex parts of the site.

Fast setup

With minimal site works, installation is efficient even on complicated blocks.

Built to suit the job

Modular systems also offer customisation options to meet site and operational needs:

• Extra ramps for easier vehicle access
• Higher walls to control overspray
• Roof structures for weather protection
• First flush diversion for compliance
• Water recycling for high-volume users

These bespoke additions ensure operators can meet stringent environmental and operational requirements without compromising the site's structural integrity or facing prohibitive civil works.

When a tricky site doesn’t need to become a tricky project

Underground restrictions often stop organisations from upgrading their wash facilities, but they don’t have to. A modular, above-ground solution removes most of the risks and approval barriers linked to excavation or civil works. It also keeps day-to-day activity moving with minimal disruption.

If you’re unsure whether your site will allow a wash bay installation, our team can talk you through the options and assess what’s possible. Feel free to get in touch to discuss your conditions and the best way forward.

Contact CleanaWater today on 1800 353 788 to discuss your existing system and find out how a modular solution can make your operations cleaner, safer, and more efficient.