A plurality of laterals operably associated with a treatment unit for treating water and/or wastewater. The plurality of laterals can form many systems including a sludge removal system and a fluid scour system. The treatment unit can take many forms including but not limited to a filter and a sludge collection basin. Preferably, each of the plurality of laterals has a hollow passageway for permitting at least one of a fluid and a material to flow through each of the plurality of laterals. Each of the plurality of laterals includes means for permitting cleaning of a corresponding lateral to remove one or more obstructions obstructing the flow of one of a fluid and a material through at least a portion of the hollow passageway without damaging or altering the corresponding lateral. Preferably, the means for cleaning is configured to seal an opening in the corresponding lateral.