Pumping Polluted Water In Oxygen: A Guide To Success

Polluted water is a common issue in the game Oxygen Not Included, and it can cause a lot of problems for players if not dealt with effectively. Polluted water is the most common naturally occurring liquid on most asteroids and can be created by a number of factors, including duplicants not making it to a toilet in time, or by stress-vomiting. It can also be a by-product of certain amenities such as lavatories and showers. This guide will explore the different ways players can deal with polluted water, including pumping it through a liquid pump into a water sieve for purification, or simply isolating it and pumping it elsewhere.

Using a liquid pump to purify polluted water

Polluted water is a common issue in the game Oxygen Not Included, and it can be challenging to manage, especially in the early stages of the game. Here is a guide on using a liquid pump to purify polluted water, a crucial resource that is needed for various activities like food production, oxygen production, and farming.

Firstly, it is important to understand that polluted water is the most common naturally occurring liquid on most asteroids, especially in the Swamp Biome. It is produced as a by-product of certain activities and amenities, such as lavatories, showers, and algae distillers. Polluted water can also be created when duplicants do not reach a toilet in time or if they vomit due to stress. This water emits polluted oxygen, which can affect the colony's oxygen supply and cause negative effects on duplicants if they come into contact with it.

To purify polluted water using a liquid pump, follow these steps:

• Set up a Water Sieve: Construct a Water Sieve, which is a building that helps to filter and purify polluted water. The Water Sieve uses a filtration medium, such as sand or regolith, to purify the water.
• Connect the Liquid Pump: Use a liquid pump to draw the polluted water from its source or storage tank and pump it into the Water Sieve. Ensure the pump is connected to a power source and has access to the polluted water.
• Purification Process: The Water Sieve will filter the polluted water at a rate of 5 kg/s of polluted water to 5 kg/s of clean water, with a by-product of polluted dirt. The filtration medium, such as sand or regolith, is consumed during this process.
• Collect the Purified Water: Once the purification process is complete, the clean water can be deposited from a liquid vent or output pipe connected to the Water Sieve. This water is now safe to use for various purposes within the colony.
• Handle Germs: It is important to note that the purification process does not remove germs from the polluted water. If the polluted water contains germs, additional steps must be taken to disinfect the water before use. One way is to use an Algae Distiller with Slime or have a duplicant covered in Slimelung use a sink, as Slimelung will override Food Poisoning germs.

By following these steps, players can effectively use a liquid pump and Water Sieve to purify polluted water in Oxygen Not Included. This process ensures a steady supply of clean water for the colony's survival and prevents the negative consequences of polluted oxygen.

Preventing polluted water from infecting clean water

Polluted water in 'Oxygen Not Included' is a common issue, especially in the Swamp Biome. It is a breeding ground for bacteria and will make your Duplicants sick, so it is important to manage it before it gets out of hand.

Firstly, it is important to understand that polluted water can be dropped into clean water tanks without worry of the clean water becoming polluted, unless the polluted water contains germs. Therefore, it is crucial to keep infected water separate from clean water.

One way to prevent polluted water from infecting clean water supplies is to set up a dedicated pollution zone, with an airlock, away from your water supply. This will contain the polluted water and prevent it from spreading. Additionally, you can use a bottle emptier to transfer polluted water from wash basins into a hole where CO2 accumulates. The CO2 will inhibit the growth of microbes, allowing you to safely store polluted water.

Another method is to use a Water Sieve to filter the polluted water. This can be done by pumping the polluted water via a Liquid Pump into the Water Sieve. However, this process does not remove germs, so a second step is required, such as adding chlorine to the water. You can also heat the water above 75 degrees Celsius before sending it through the Water Sieve, which will kill the germs.

Insulated liquid pipes can also be used to handle high-temperature water, but this may not be necessary if you plan your system efficiently. Additionally, you can use a Liquid Pipe Thermo Sensor to monitor the water temperature and activate a shut-off mechanism when the water reaches above 75-80 degrees Celsius, directing the heated water to the Water Sieve for cleaning.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively prevent polluted water from infecting clean water supplies in 'Oxygen Not Included'.

Storing polluted water for later use

Polluted water is the most common naturally occurring liquid on most asteroids, especially in the Swamp Biome. It is also created as a by-product of the Algae Distiller, or through certain amenities such as Lavatories and Showers. Polluted water can be stored for later use by using a bottle emptier to take the water from the Wash Basins and putting it into a hole where CO2 accumulates. As long as the polluted water has no contact with oxygen, it will not spread into your oxygen supply. With CO2 laying on top of it, the growth of microbes is inhibited, and you can safely store any amount of polluted water.

Another method for storing polluted water is to build a small basin with a bottle emptier and an airlock. The polluted oxygen does not seem to carry germs, at least not food poisoning germs. It is important to keep your polluted cistern below your fresh cistern.

You can also store polluted water in a Liquid Reservoir, as this will not emit any polluted oxygen. This is useful for players who want to save this resource for later use.

A large tank of polluted water can be kept and continually filtered. Building it under a cool slush geyser ensures that new, cool polluted water is being added to the tank.

Removing germs from polluted water

Polluted water is the most common naturally occurring liquid on most asteroids in Oxygen Not Included. It can be created by a variety of sources, including duplicants not reaching a toilet in time, stress-vomiting, or as a by-product of certain amenities such as lavatories, showers, and algae distillers. This water can be dealt with in several ways.

Firstly, it is important to note that polluted water can be dropped into clean water tanks without worry of the clean water becoming polluted, as long as the polluted water does not contain germs. If the polluted water does contain germs, the clean water will also become contaminated. Therefore, it is crucial to treat germ-infested water before storing or using it. One method to treat germ-infested water is to use a water sieve or filter. While this method can purify polluted water, it does not effectively remove germs, which can lead to food poisoning and illness among the duplicants.

To effectively remove germs from polluted water, consider the following methods:

• Chlorine Gas Treatment: Using chlorine gas is an option, but it is not very effective as it only disinfects the top layer of the water. The germs continue to multiply rapidly in the layers below. However, if the liquid reservoir containing the polluted water is immersed in chlorine, the chlorine gas will disinfect the water.
• Heat or Cool Treatment: You can heat or cool the water past the germ's comfort zone to cleanse the entire reservoir. This can be done using a Liquid Tepidizer to heat up the water, but it will create a significant amount of unwanted heat.
• Ore Scrubber: An ore scrubber can be used to quickly disinfect water bottles. Set up a bottle emptier with an ore scrubber, a chlorine pipe, and a hand sanitizer between the fountain and the bottle emptier.
• Liquid Reservoirs in Series: Another simple method is to have three liquid reservoirs in series sitting in a chlorine environment. This option does not require power or automation and works effectively. Remember to hold the flow for one cycle when starting to allow the first liquid to disinfect.
• CO2 Accumulation: By using a Bottle Emptier, you can take water from Wash Basins and put it into a hole where CO2 accumulates. As long as the polluted water has no contact with oxygen, it will not spread, and the heavy CO2 will inhibit the growth of microbes.

These methods can help remove germs from polluted water in Oxygen Not Included, ensuring a safe and clean water supply for your colony.

Using polluted water as a coolant

Polluted water is a common issue in Oxygen Not Included, but it can be a helpful tool when used as a coolant. It reaches much colder temperatures than standard water, and its high specific heat capacity and wider temperature range make it a great coolant that can be obtained in the early game. Here are some tips for dealing with and using polluted water as a coolant:

Dealing with Polluted Water

• Polluted water can be dropped into clean water tanks without worry of the clean water becoming polluted, as long as the polluted water does not contain germs.
• If the polluted water contains germs, it will contaminate the clean water. In this case, if the amount of polluted water is less than 150 kg, it can be mopped up, even if it's submerged at the bottom of the tank.
• Polluted water can be purified by pumping it via a liquid pump into a water sieve or by putting gulp fish in the reservoir. However, this doesn't remove germs, so a second step, such as adding chlorine, is necessary to make it safe to drink.
• Polluted water can also be bottled and stored, but keep an eye on your duplicants during transport to ensure they don't accidentally put the bottles in wash basins or microbe mushers.
• Polluted water can be used to irrigate certain plants, such as Pincha Pepper, Thimble Reed, Bog Bucket, and Arbor Tree.
• Polluted water can be converted into fertilizer using a fertilizer synthesizer by combining it with dirt and phosphorite.
• Polluted water is a better coolant than pure water due to its 40-degree wider temperature range.
• When using polluted water as a coolant, restrict its ability to infest your water systems and the air.
• Natural Gas Generators, which produce polluted water as a by-product, can be placed directly above the tank when using polluted water as a coolant.
• Polluted water can be boiled into steam and used in steam turbines to power your base or as fuel in steam engines, although this is inefficient as it takes a higher temperature to turn polluted water into steam compared to clean water.

Frequently asked questions