Abstract: A vacuum and bag system comprising a tank of predetermined configuration having a closed end and an open end; an impervious, flexible bag disposed in the tank having an edge of an open extremity thereof draped over an edge of the open end of the tank; a removable cover having a powerhead therein, the cover being disposed to seal the open end of the tank and to entrap the edge of the open extremity of the impervious, flexible bag on the edge of the open end of the tank, the powerhead generating a negative pressure within the tank and the impervious, flexible bag when the powerhead is activated; a pickup hose disposed to extend through a selected one of the removable cover and a side wall of the tank adjacent the powerhead to pick up material and to deposit the material in the impervious, flexible bag when the powerhead is activated; and a conduit connected between an inner surface of the removable cover adjacent the powerhead and an inner surface of a selected wall of the tank externally of the tank, the condu