Abstract: A washing apparatus for washing trades equipment. The apparatus comprises at least one washing receptacle for holding or supporting trades equipment to be washed; at least three tanks each of which is in fluid communication with said receptacle; a first pump for pumping substantially clean water from any of the three tanks to a water outlet above the receptacle and a second pump for pumping wash-water from the receptacle to any of the three tanks, wherein in use whilst wash-water is being chemically treated for separation into sedimentary waste and substantially clean water in one of the three tanks, substantially clean water may be pumped by the first pump from a second of the three tanks to the receptacle via the water outlet for washing equipment in the receptacle, and wash-water leaving the receptacle may be pumped by the second pump to a third of the three tanks.