Equipment

Water Management Systems for Asbestos Decontamination

Where does your decon shower water go? Compare Deconta wastewater filtration units (AS200, AS300, AS300CG) and heated water management systems (SW50L, SW120L, WM400V), filtering down to 1 micron. Buy or hire, with Australia-wide delivery.

  • 8 min read
  • David Chhin
Water Management Systems for Asbestos Decontamination

Quick summary

A water treatment system for asbestos work filters the wastewater coming out of your decontamination shower, so asbestos fibres are caught before anything reaches stormwater or sewer. DeconSafe stocks two families of Deconta units:

  • Wastewater filtration units (AS200, AS300, AS300CG) that pump and filter dirty water in two to four stages, down to 1 micron.
  • Water management systems (SW50L, SW120L, WM400V) that heat the shower water as well as filter what comes out.

Selected units are available through DeconSafe equipment hire, with Australia-wide delivery.

In this guide

Where the water goesAS seriesWater managementComparisonHow to chooseHire or buyFAQs

Where does the shower water go?

Every worker leaving an asbestos enclosure goes through the decontamination shower. That water rinses fibres off suits, skin and respirators, so it leaves the shower carrying exactly what you spent all day containing.

Letting it run into a drain undoes the work. That's why asbestos wastewater treatment is part of the job, not an extra. A proper water treatment system for asbestos (you'll also hear it called an effluent treatment system or water filtration system for asbestos removal) pulls that wastewater through a series of filters, each finer than the last, and captures the fibres before the water is discharged to stormwater or sewer. On DeconSafe's Deconta range, the final stage filters down to 1 micron.

The air

Negative pressure unit

Holds the enclosure under negative pressure and filters the air.

The people

Decontamination unit

Gets fibres off suits, skin and respirators before workers leave.

The water

Water treatment system

Captures the fibres in the shower wastewater before discharge.

Skip any one of the three and the enclosure has a gap.

Built to keep running

Deconta Water Management Systems are fitted with pumps from trusted brands such as Calpeda (Italy, est. 1959) and Lilie Germany, chosen to keep downtime low. DeconSafe keeps spare parts and repairs on hand, backed by its maintenance and support service, so a blocked pump doesn't stall your job for a week.

Types of water treatment systems for asbestos

Wastewater filtration units (AS series)

Filtration only · no heater

These are the workhorses. They sit beside the decon unit, pump the dirty water out and push it through cartridge filters. These units do not include a built-in water heater, making them a practical and cost-effective option for sites where heated shower water is not essential. They are particularly suited to projects in warmer regions, such as North Queensland and Western Australia, where high ambient temperatures may make unheated showers more practical.

Entry level  · 28 L/min

Water Treatment AS200

The compact, entry-level option. It runs a dual stage cartridge filter setup for wastewater: a 220 micron pre-filter, then a 1 micron fine filter. A flow sensor starts the pump automatically when fresh water runs through the shower, so nobody has to remember to switch it on and off. It moves up to 28 L/min, weighs 16 kg and runs on standard 230 V power, which makes it about as portable as a water treatment unit gets.

Commercial jobs · 30 L/min

Water Treatment AS300

Adds a middle stage. Water goes 220 micron, then 50 micron, then 1 micron, which spreads the load and keeps the fine filter from clogging early. A built-in pressure gauge tells you when a cartridge needs changing. It has a self-priming pump (30 L/min, protected against dry running), two castors and an optional 5 m suction hose with a sensor that switches the pump on when it detects water. A solid mobile water treatment unit for most commercial jobs.

Heavy duty  · Available for hire

Water Treatment AS300CG

The heavy-duty version for dirtier water. A coarse bag filter catches the big stuff first, then the water runs through 220, 50 and 1 micron stages. The gauge and powder-coated aluminium casing carry over from the AS300. It also has an optional 5 m suction hose with a sensor that switches the pump on when it detects water. The AS300CG is also on the equipment hire list.

Water management systems (heating + filtration)

Heats & filters

A water management system for asbestos does two jobs in one box. It stores and heats the shower water, then filters the wastewater on its way out. If your site has no reliable hot water, this is the unit you want.

Smaller crews · 50 L tank · 2 stages

Water Management SW50L

Holds 50 litres, heated to about 37°C by a 3000 W element. The tank fills by hand or automatically from a connected fresh water hose. Wastewater goes through two filter stages, 220 micron down to 1 micron. A good fit for smaller crews.

120 L tank · dual pumps

Water Management SW120L – Dual Pumps

The Deconta SW120L Water Management System combines a 120-litre heated water tank, three-stage wastewater filtration and independent dual wastewater pumps for more reliable decontamination shower operation.

Unlike single-pump systems connected to multiple shower drains, the dual-pump design allows wastewater to be extracted independently from each shower. This prevents the common issue of a shared pump drawing air through an empty shower tray instead of removing wastewater from the shower in use, helping maintain consistent drainage and reducing interruptions during decontamination.

Hot water on demand · 21 kW · 400 V three-phase

Water Management WM400V

The Deconta WM400V is a high-performance three-phase instantaneous hot water system designed for personnel decontamination showers. Powered by a 400V three-phase supply, its 21 kW instantaneous heater delivers warm shower water on demand, with a maximum flow rate of 10 litres per minute.

Unlike conventional tank-based water management systems, the WM400V heats water as it flows through the unit, eliminating the need to store or preheat a tank of water. This makes it ideal for decontamination operations requiring a continuous supply of warm shower water.

The system also incorporates an automatic wastewater pump and three-stage filtration to manage contaminated shower water.

DeconSafe also lists the C110L (110 L, 3 stages to 1 micron) and the C130L Dual Pumps (130 L, runs two showers), both built to pair with Deconta SMARTLINE and ECOLINE showers. The C110L filters water for disposal or reuse, so it doubles as a water recycling system on asbestos sites.

Side-by-side comparison

Unit Type Filter stages Finest filter Heats water Capacity / flow
AS200 Wastewater filtration 2 1 micron No 28 L/min
AS300 Wastewater filtration 3 1 micron No 30 L/min
AS300CG Wastewater filtration 4 (bag + 3) 1 micron No Not listed
SW50L Water management 2 1 micron Yes, 3000 W 50 L tank
SW120L Water management, dual pumps 3 1 micron Yes, 3000 W 120 L tank
WM400V Water management 3 (pre + 2 fine) 1 micron Yes, instant On demand

How to choose the right unit

Start with two questions: does the site already have hot water at the shower, and how many people come out of the enclosure at once?

Hot water on site

Small crew: AS200. Light, automatic and the most budget-friendly.

Longer or dirtier jobs: AS300 or AS300CG. The extra stages mean fewer clogged fine filters.

No hot water on site

Small crew: SW50L.

Two showers running: SW120L or C130L.

Hot water on demand, no tank to fill: WM400V.

All units use GEKA hose connections, the standard system used on decontamination showers and mobile decontamination units.

Water treatment system price: hire or buy?

Prices for each unit are listed on the Water Management Systems collection, with the AS200 sitting at the entry end and the dual-pump water management systems at the top. If you run asbestos jobs every week, owning makes sense. For a one-off project or a peak in workload, water treatment system hire keeps the cost tied to the job. The AS300CG, C110L and C130L are among the water management units on the DeconSafe hire list.

Filters and consumables

Cartridges are the part you'll replace most. DeconSafe Solutions sells 10" and 20" sewage filters in 220, 200, 50, 25, 5 and 1 micron ratings, including a 10" 5 micron wastewater filter and a 10" 1 micron filter. On the AS300 and AS300CG, the pressure gauge tells you when it's time to swap.

Keep a spare set of cartridges in the ute.

Frequently asked questions

What does a water treatment system do in asbestos removal?

It filters the wastewater from the decontamination shower so asbestos fibres are captured before the water is discharged to stormwater or sewer. Deconta units filter in stages down to 1 micron.

What's the difference between a water treatment unit and a water management system?

A water treatment unit (AS200, AS300, AS300CG) pumps and filters wastewater only. A water management system (SW50L, SW120L, WM400V) also heats and supplies the shower water.

How fine do decontamination wastewater filters go?

The final stage on DeconSafe's units is a 1 micron filter. Earlier stages use 220 and 50 micron cartridges to catch larger particles first.

Can one water management system run two decon showers?

Yes. The Deconta SW120L and C130L feature dual wastewater pumps, allowing them to support two decontamination showers simultaneously. Unlike single-pump systems, the dual-pump design allows wastewater to be extracted independently from each shower, eliminating the common problem of a shared pump drawing air from an empty shower tray instead of wastewater from the shower in use. This ensures more reliable drainage, reduces interruptions and improves overall decontamination efficiency, particularly during busy site operations.

Can I hire a water treatment system instead of buying?

Yes. Water management units including the AS300CG, C110L and C130L are on DeconSafe's equipment hire list, with delivery Australia-wide.

How do I know when to change the filters?

On the AS300 and AS300CG, the built-in pressure gauge (manometer) shows when a cartridge needs replacing. Replacement sewage filters are sold separately.

Get the water side of the job sorted

You've already invested in the enclosure, the air and the shower. The water coming out of that shower deserves the same attention. Whether you need a 16 kg AS200 for a bathroom strip-out or an SW120L running two showers on a commercial site, DeconSafe can match the unit to the job and get it delivered anywhere in Australia.

Close the loop on the water

Not sure which unit fits? Tell us about your site

Call the team on 02 8111 5858 or email sales@deconsafe.com.au. Buy or hire, delivered anywhere in Australia from Auburn NSW.

Find Your Water Treatment SystemHire One for Your Next Job
Back to blog