A system meets material collection needs by significantly increasing the flow rate through a header that collects sludge. Telescopic pipes stay in a line adjacent to the bottom of a basin and do not float upwardly into or against equipment in the basin. A bearing is configured in a radial space between the pipes and with a central axial sludge collection opening, and adjacent to the header. The sludge collection opening allows sludge flow into the pipes, the flow having a value not less than a minimum flow. This flow is into system from immediately around the pipes configured in the telescopic relationship.