Cleaning Polluted Water In Cities: Skylines Guide

Cities Skylines is a city-building game that presents players with a variety of challenges, including water pollution. Water pollution in the game can be caused by sewage and can result in unsightly brown patches in rivers or the sea. While water pollution does not have any negative in-game effects, players may still want to clean it up to improve the aesthetics of their cities. There are several methods that players can use to address water pollution, including using water pumping stations, building separate pump systems that transport polluted water to treatment facilities, or placing the Eden Project building, which quickly clears up all water pollution on the map.

Using the Eden Project building

The Eden Project is a monument constructed by building all the required unique buildings that meet the criteria for the Eden Project. It is a huge glass house, perfect for vast gardens full of exotic fruits and plants. Once built, the Eden Project will slowly purify the land, air, and water from pollution.

However, it is important to note that the Eden Project will not remove existing pollution that was created before the project was built. This pollution will linger and only slowly dissipate over time. Additionally, while the Eden Project will stop buildings from polluting, Water Drain Pipes will continue to pour polluted water, and this will require additional management. Combining the Eco Water Treatment Plants with the Eden Project will help produce clean water, and water pumps can be placed downstream of the outlets.

The Eden Project also has a significant impact on land value and tourism. It increases the land value of the entire city, causing all buildings to upgrade to their maximum level. This can lead to a population boom, which may result in what is known as a "death wave", where all residents die at the same time due to being the same age. The Eden Project can also make a city too expensive for low-income tourists, leading to a temporary drop in tourism.

While the Eden Project can be a useful tool for purifying water and reducing pollution, it is important to consider its potential impact on land value and tourism, as well as the need for additional measures to manage existing pollution and Water Drain Pipes.

Building a separate pump system

To clean polluted water in Cities: Skylines, players can opt for a separate pump system to address the issue. This approach involves constructing a dedicated network specifically for managing and treating contaminated water.

The first step in building a separate pump system is to identify the source and extent of the pollution. This understanding will inform the placement and design of the pump system. It is crucial to ensure that the pumps are positioned upstream of any sewage drains to prevent contamination of the water supply. Additionally, the pumps should be located in a way that minimizes the risk of ground pollution, as this can also impact the water's cleanliness.

The separate pump system should be strategically designed to transport the polluted water to a treatment facility. This can be achieved by constructing water pipes that connect the pumps to the treatment building. It is imperative that this system remains isolated from the city's main water supply to avoid contamination. The treatment facility, such as the Eden Project building, will then effectively cleanse the water, removing sewage pollution.

To further enhance the effectiveness of the separate pump system, players can consider implementing water towers as part of their water supply buildings. These towers can be built anywhere on land but require careful placement to avoid ground pollution, which can lead to water contamination and potential health issues for citizens. Water towers store excess water, automatically releasing it when demand exceeds production. This feature ensures a stable water supply, even during periods of high demand or disruptions in water production.

By constructing a separate pump system, players can proactively manage water pollution and maintain a clean water supply for their city in Cities: Skylines. This approach not only addresses the immediate issue of polluted water but also helps to prevent potential health hazards for the city's citizens. Proper planning and strategic placement of pumps, treatment facilities, and water towers are key to the success of this system.

Using a water treatment plant

Water treatment plants are a great way to clean up polluted water in Cities: Skylines. They are a sewage dumping system that is unlocked after meeting the Big City milestone. It's important to note that water treatment plants are different from water pumping stations, which are also used to clean polluted water.

Water treatment plants are effective in reducing the environmental impact of your city by purifying 85% of the pollution in sewage. This is a significant improvement compared to straight drain pipes, which emit about 20% water pollution. Treatment plants also process 33% more waste, making them a more efficient option.

To use a water treatment plant, it is recommended to delete all sewage and build only water treatments. This will result in cleaner water in less than a year. It is important to ensure that the treatment plant is connected to the main pipe for it to function properly.

When placing water treatment plants, consider areas with high treatment plant concentration as they will be more visible and effective in those locations. Additionally, look for spots on the map where water flow leads away, as this will be optimal for treating polluted water.

While water treatment plants are a great option, it's worth mentioning that they are not perfect. They cost more, require more energy, and take up more space compared to normal drain pipes. However, if you're looking to reduce water pollution and improve the environmental impact of your city, water treatment plants are a great choice.

Using a water pumping station

Water pumping stations are an essential part of maintaining a healthy water supply for your city in Cities: Skylines. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for using a water pumping station to clean polluted water and keep your citizens healthy:

Placement of Water Pumping Stations:

When building a water pumping station, it is crucial to place it upstream of any sewage drains or plants. By doing so, you can prevent contaminated water from flowing into your clean water supply. Make sure to check the direction of water flow to ensure your pumping station is positioned correctly. It is also recommended to keep your water pumps and sewage plants separate to avoid contamination.

Dealing with Stagnant Sewage:

If you have an area of stagnant sewage, place a water pumping station in the middle of it and run a water pipe from the station to a short distance away, leaving it unconnected. This will gradually pump the sewage into the ground, cleaning up the polluted area over time. It is a good idea to place a couple of pumping stations on either side of a sewage disposal to prevent the spread of sewage early in the game if your budget allows for the upkeep.

Preventing Water Pollution:

To keep your water supply clean, ensure that your water towers are not built on polluted ground, as this can contaminate the water supply and make your citizens sick. Additionally, be cautious when placing sewage plants and water pumps to avoid creating a situation where polluted water flows into a clean water pump. If your map has an outflow off the map, placing sewage pumps at the edge can help instantly sweep sewage out of the area, minimizing water pollution.

Dealing with Polluted Water Pumps:

In some cases, you may encounter a bug where a water pump becomes polluted, even when placed in clean water. One solution is to build an additional pump and leave it unconnected to any pipes. This has been reported to resolve the issue and prevent the other pump from becoming polluted.

Using the Eden Project:

If you have access to the Eden Project, it can be highly effective in cleaning up water pollution. Placing it near the shore of a polluted bay or lake can completely flush the area clean.

Draining the sewage

Identify the Source

Before you begin, it's crucial to identify the source of the sewage pollution. Is it coming from a river, a lake, or directly from the sea? Once you've identified the source, you can implement targeted strategies for that specific body of water.

Use Water Pumping Stations

Water Pumping Stations are an effective tool to combat sewage pollution. Place the pumping station in the middle of the sewage-affected area and run a water pipe from it that connects to nothing. This setup will eventually pump all the stagnant sewage from the water into the ground, cleaning up the entire area over time. It's advisable to place these pumping stations at the beginning of the game to prevent sewage from spreading further.

Separate Pumping Systems

When dealing with polluted water, it's essential to maintain a separate pumping system from your city's water supply. Build a dedicated pump system that specifically targets the polluted water and transports it to a treatment facility. This isolation ensures that the sewage does not contaminate your city's drinking water.

Dams and Intake Pumps

Consider constructing a dam to hold back the sewage-affected water. By placing intake pumps upstream, you can effectively keep the polluted water at bay and even create a riverbed for development. This method offers a temporary solution while you work on a more permanent fix.

Water Treatment Plants

Water treatment plants are highly effective in combating sewage pollution. Once you unlock the water treatment building, demolish all existing sewage infrastructure and replace them with water treatment plants. This action will result in cleaner water within less than a year, significantly improving the environmental conditions for your citizens.

Remember, dealing with sewage pollution requires a strategic approach, and combining these methods may be necessary for optimal results. Always adapt your strategies based on the specific conditions of your city, and don't hesitate to experiment with different techniques to find the most effective solution.

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