A system is provided for the dynamic dewatering of any of a variety of sludges, slurries, or waters. A stream of material is treated in a series of distinct operations to release free water, draw off additional water through vacuum, and compress the resultant dewatered solids to result in a substantially dewatered material. One or more open cells are used in vacuum dewatering in continuous dynamic operation. The system may be integrated into a packaged unit that may be installed at a operation site, and maybe operated with multiple like units to increase treatment flowrates.