Abstract: A dump bucket for a wet or dry vacuum system is disclosed. The dump bucket comprises (a) a container having a first aperture in its bottom and a second aperture at or near its top, (b) a hollow riser tube extending upwardly from the first aperture, (c) a hollow inner tube extending downwardly from the second aperture to a point near the bottom of the container and having at least one aperture at its bottom end, (d) a baffle cup surrounding the bottom end of the hollow inner tube, and (e) a hollow outer tube surrounding at least the upper end of the baffle cup, being open to the contents of the container beneath the top of the baffle cup, extending upwardly to a point near the top of the container, and having an opening at the top. During use of the dump bucket, the incoming stream of air, dirt, and/or water is filtered through water in the baffle cup and the annular space between the inner and outer hollow tubes above the baffle cup.