These sediment flushing systems are designed to remove settled debris from storm water detention tanks, combined sewer overflow (CSO) retention tanks, sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) equalization tanks and reservoir floors, as well as sewer inverts, using a single flush. They can and have been used in CSO, SSO, agricultural and in industrial applications to clean any batch process tank, reservoir or basin.

These systems operate by releasing a torrent of water resulting in a flushing wave which progresses down the entirety of the drainage path, pushing debris ahead of it. The re-suspended debris is then carried by the flushed water to the treatment plant for disposal.