You can add wash water recovery to a pressure washer you already own. Most contractors choose one of three packages: recovery only (a vacuum with interceptor drums), recovery plus oil and solids separation, or full recycling that filters water to 20 microns and sends it back to the washer. Recovery vacuums from Hot And Mighty start at $12,460, a recycling system starts at $12,810, and complete recover-and-recycle trailers that hook up to your existing washer start at $45,290.
Which recovery package do I need?
| Package | What it does | Best for | Main components |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recover and discharge | Vacuums up wash water and holds it so you can dispose of it through an approved route | Jobs where runoff must be captured but reuse isn't needed | Recovery vacuum with primary and secondary interceptor drums |
| Recover and separate | Adds oil, water and solids separation before storage or disposal | Oily wash water from fleet, equipment and shop washing | Recovery vacuum plus oil / water / solids separator |
| Recover and recycle | Filters water to 20 microns and returns it to your washer | Sites with limited water supply, or where you want to reuse water instead of hauling it | Recovery vacuum plus WR2020 recycling system (or a complete trailer) |
For the difference between separation and full filtration, see oil-water separators vs. full filtration systems.
What does each component cost?
| Component | Key specs | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery drums with filters | Stainless primary (15 gal) and secondary (30 gal) interceptors, slide-out pre-filters, auto pump out | $4,190 |
| Oil / water / solids separator | 150 gal aluminum sloping tank, reusable coalescing grid pack, adjustable flow, low water shut-offs | $8,490 |
| 250 CFM recovery vacuum | Single operator, 13 HP Honda, 200' of 2" vac hose on a reel, interceptor drums | $12,460 |
| WR2020 recycling system | 20 GPM, 20 micron filtration, oil harvester, cartridge and backwash multi-media filters; needs a 6,000 watt generator | $12,810 ($14,660 with generator) |
| 450 CFM recovery vacuum | Two operators, 630 cc Honda, 400' of 2" vac hose, interceptor drums | $16,490 |
| Open TA3-MV23-455 recover and recycle trailer | 450 CFM vacuum, 20 micron recycling, two 21" vacuum surface cleaners, 6x16 open trailer | $45,290 |
| Phoenix TA2-MV23-455 | Same recover and recycle package in a 6x14 enclosed trailer, up to 98% recovery | $45,920 |
Prices are listed starting prices on hotandmightydirect.com as of October 2026 and are confirmed in a written quote.
250 CFM or 450 CFM: how much vacuum do I need?
Pick the vacuum by how many operators recover at once. The 250 CFM unit is built for one operator or surface cleaner at 200 feet or more. The 450 CFM unit is built for two operators or two surface cleaners at 200 feet or more. If you run a two-person crew, or plan to, buy the 450 CFM vacuum now. An undersized vacuum can't keep up when two guns are running. Need more reach? See how we recover water from 400 feet away.
Components or a complete trailer?
Buy components if...
- You already have a trailer or truck with room and a way to mount the equipment.
- You want to add recovery now and recycling later.
- You are comfortable installing equipment. Components ship on packaging material to be unloaded and installed, or can be ordered on a steel skid frame.
Buy a complete trailer if...
- Your current rig is full or can't carry the extra weight.
- You want a tested system with hose reels, vacuum surface cleaners and sand berms included.
- You want to hook it to your existing washer and start working. Connect the trailer's fresh water outlet to your washer's inlet.
What to check before you add recovery
- Power. The WR2020 recycling system needs a 6,000 watt generator. Order it with one if your rig doesn't have one.
- Flow. The WR2020 handles up to 20 GPM, so it covers one or two washers in the 4 to 10 GPM range.
- Space and weight. Measure your deck and check your trailer's axle rating before ordering components.
- Disposal route. Recovered water and sludge still need an approved disposal path. Rules vary by location. Read mobile washing and the Clean Water Act and check with your local stormwater authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add wash water recovery to my existing pressure washer?
Yes. Hot And Mighty recovery vacuums, separators and recycling systems are built to work with an existing mobile wash system.
Is a recovery vacuum the same as a recycling system?
No. A recovery vacuum collects water and catches heavy debris in its interceptor drums. Recycling adds oil separation and filtration down to 20 microns so the water can be reused in the washer.
Will recycled water hurt my pump?
The WR2020 filters water to 20 microns through cartridge and multi-media filters before returning it to the washer. Keep up with filter changes and sludge clean-out so it stays that way.
How long does a recovery system take to build?
It depends on the setup. We keep key components in stock for quicker builds, and every quote includes your build time. You can pick up at our South Bend, IN shop with free training, or we ship by freight.
Get a recovery quote
Tell us your washer's GPM, how many operators you run and what you're cleaning, and we'll recommend the right package. Browse our recovery and recycling equipment, then call 800-897-7515 or text us through the chat on this site.
