The base plate of a robotic or manually propelled tank or pool cleaning apparatus includes a transverse conduit positioned on the interior surface of the base plate and is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized water that is also located within the pool cleaner's housing, which pressurized water is discharged from the bottom or lower portion of the transverse conduit through a plurality of openings that extend along a line that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pool cleaner's direction of travel, to produce downwardly-directed water jets that are discharged through and below the base plate towards the surface of the pool or tank over which the pool cleaning apparatus is moving to dislodge and suspend dirt and debris that is then drawn into and retained by the pool cleaner's filter.