Method and apparatus for washing trades equipment

A washing apparatus for washing trades equipment, the apparatus comprising:

• a supply tank containing a wash fluid in a substantially clean state;
• a supply pump for supplying the wash fluid from the supply tank through a first line to at least one nozzle for directing the wash fluid at the equipment;
• at least one receptacle for collecting the wash fluid in a contaminated state, the wash fluid being contaminated with waste washed from the equipment;
• a collection tank for holding the wash fluid collected by said receptacle, said collection tank positioned substantially above said supply tank and in fluid connection there between via a second line having a first valve;
• a dosing device for automatically introducing a coagulant into the wash fluid within said collection tank;
• characterised in that a return pump for pumping the contaminated wash fluid and sediment from the collection tank to at least one filter assembly fluidally connected via a third line to said collection tank and that said return pump cyclically urges said sediment and said wash fluid to said filter assembly, and that under the influence of gravity wash fluid passes through said filter assembly and returns to said collection tank, and that an agitator is disposed within said collection tank for agitating said wash fluid and said sediment and said agitator operable simultaneous with said return pump and an electronic control unit operably connected to said supply pump, return pump, said first valve, and an upper level switch within said collection tank, said electronic control unit comprising a plurality of timers;
• and when said collection tank is filled and said upper level switch is actuated, both the supply pump and return pump are deactivated for a first period of time to allow wash water in said collection tank under the influence of said coagulant to form relatively clean water above a layer of said sediment, and following said first period of time, said first valve is actuated to open for a second period of time to allow at least portion of said relatively clean water to be discharged under influence of gravity to said supply tank.