
In the popular city-building game Cities: Skylines, pollution is a significant concern, and players must actively manage pollution levels to keep their citizens happy and healthy. While it is impossible to completely eliminate pollution without using mods or DLC buildings, several strategies can help reduce and restore polluted areas in the game. This includes separating industrial and residential areas, investing in renewable energy sources, utilizing water treatment plants, and being mindful of wind direction to prevent the spread of pollution. Players can also use specific in-game mechanics, such as the Eden Project monument, to contain pollution and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. Additionally, planting trees and upgrading roads with sound barriers can help reduce noise pollution, improving land value and citizen happiness.
How to restore polluted areas in Cities: Skylines
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Remove sources of pollution | Factories, power plants, incinerators, garbage dumps, sewage |
| Use renewable energy sources | Wind turbines, solar power plants, nuclear power plants |
| Place polluting buildings away from residential areas | Create buffer zones with offices, parks, and trees |
| Use water treatment plants | Reduce water pollution by 85% |
| Upgrade roads | Use sound barriers for motorways and trees for normal roads |
| Build a School of Science Unique Faculty | Within a University Campus Area to reduce city-wide pollution |
| Use mods or DLC buildings | Pollution Remover mod, for example |
| Use water recycling plants | Unlocked at a population of 16,000 |
| Switch industrial areas to farming and forestry | These industries don't cause pollution |
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What You'll Learn

Reduce air pollution by switching to renewable energy sources
In the city-building game Cities: Skylines, players must manage various aspects of their city, including pollution. While it is not possible to achieve a city with zero pollution in the game, there are some strategies to mitigate and reduce it. One way to address pollution is to remove the sources of pollution, such as factories, power plants, incinerators, and garbage dumps.
Now, let's discuss the topic of reducing air pollution by switching to renewable energy sources:
The transition to renewable energy sources is a crucial strategy to reduce air pollution and improve the overall air quality in cities. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower, emit little to no greenhouse gases or air pollutants, unlike traditional fossil fuels. By adopting clean energy sources, cities can significantly decrease the emission of harmful pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and black carbon. These pollutants have detrimental effects on human health, contributing to respiratory issues and premature deaths.
Additionally, renewable energy sources are naturally replenished and often more accessible than fossil fuels. About 29 percent of electricity currently comes from renewable sources, and this number is expected to increase. By investing in renewable energy, cities can also benefit from job creation in the clean energy sector and related industries.
The impact of switching to renewable energy sources on air quality can be almost immediate. For example, the adoption of solar and wind power can rapidly reduce the production of harmful particulate matter and pollutants. This not only improves air quality but also helps to mitigate climate change, as renewable energy sources produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, renewable energy sources offer a more sustainable and affordable approach to energy generation. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are non-renewable and have severe environmental consequences. By reducing our reliance on these finite resources, we can decrease the negative impacts of energy production on air quality and the climate.
In conclusion, switching to renewable energy sources is a crucial step in reducing air pollution and creating healthier, more sustainable cities. By embracing clean energy alternatives, we can improve air quality, mitigate climate change, and foster a more resilient future for urban environments.
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Minimise ground pollution by removing the source
To minimise ground pollution in Cities: Skylines, you must remove the source of pollution. This includes factories, power plants, incinerators, and garbage dumps. Once these sources are removed, the ground pollution will naturally dissipate over time.
While waiting for the pollution to disappear, there are strategies to minimise its spread and impact. The Eden Project monument can contain pollution within a specific area, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings. Additionally, ensure that residential zones do not overlap with polluted areas, as citizens living on polluted ground will eventually get sick.
Another strategy is to focus on managing sewage and water treatment effectively. Sewage should be placed downstream, close to your border, while water pumping stations should be located upstream, away from any pollutants entering your water system. Investing in sewage upgrades is crucial as your city expands.
You can also reduce pollution by transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as recycling centres, wind turbines, solar power plants, and nuclear power plants. These sources offer minimal air pollution, but they come with high installation and maintenance costs.
Lastly, certain in-game achievements, such as the Earthloving Achievement, can guide you in minimising pollution. Online resources, such as videos and community forums, can provide specific techniques and strategies to reduce ground pollution in your city.
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Prevent water pollution by placing sewage downstream
Sewage is the primary cause of water pollution in Cities: Skylines. The best way to prevent water pollution is to ensure that sewage outlets are placed downstream from the water sucked up by your water intake. This way, you avoid giving your citizens polluted water.
Water pumping stations are used to draw water from a source like a river, cycle it through the city via water pipes, and then dump it back out into the water in the form of sewage. It is important to note that water pumping stations must be built upstream of any sewage drains so that the water supply is not contaminated by water pollution. Water towers, on the other hand, can be built anywhere on land but must be kept away from polluted areas to prevent water contamination.
To avoid dumping sewage into bodies of water, you can use inland draining options such as the inland water treatment plant and its eco-version, which are available at the start of the game. More advanced versions with better capabilities become available later on. Another option is to use a water pumping station to clean up polluted water from sewage. Place the pumping station in the middle of the sewage and run a water pipe from it to an outlet. This will eventually clean up the whole area.
If you are dealing with water pollution, you can also reposition your water drain pipes to a new area. This costs less than building new structures and can be a good temporary solution while you wait for your city to grow and invest in upgraded, eco-friendly versions of drain pipes or treatment plants.
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Reduce noise pollution by planting trees and adding sound barriers
To restore polluted areas in Cities: Skylines, one option is to simply remove the source of pollution, such as factories, power plants, incinerators, and garbage dumps. However, this may not always be feasible, and it is important to note that achieving a city with zero pollution is unlikely. Another option is to use mods, such as the Pollution Remover mod, which allows you to disable all kinds of pollution, including ground, water, and noise pollution. Alternatively, the Eden Project monument can prevent pollution from spreading to nearby buildings, although the industry will still generate pollution.
One specific type of pollution that can be mitigated is noise pollution. This can be achieved by planting trees and adding sound barriers. Trees act as natural noise barriers and can help reduce noise levels by absorbing, deflecting, refracting, or masking sound waves. When strategically placed near roadways, in backyards, or in parks, trees can reduce noise levels by 5 to 8 decibels (dBA), according to the USDA. Additionally, different tree species can be selected for the sounds their leaves or branches make in response to the wind. For example, quaking aspen or oak trees create a rustling sound even in a small breeze, while bamboo can generate white noise, although it may spread uncontrollably if not native to the region.
The effectiveness of trees as noise barriers can be enhanced by combining them with other vegetation, such as shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants. This diverse structure helps to fill gaps and add texture to the environment, improving the overall noise reduction. The root systems of plants also stabilize the soil, prevent erosion, and provide additional sound-dampening properties. Furthermore, the presence of vegetation can attract wildlife, such as songbirds and crickets, which create pleasant sounds that contribute to a more natural and immersive acoustic environment.
In addition to natural solutions, artificial sound barriers can also be employed to reduce noise pollution. These include concrete walls and soundproof fences, which provide immediate noise relief. However, these traditional noise barriers lack the ecological and psychological benefits that trees and vegetation offer. To maximize noise reduction, it is recommended to integrate trees with other sustainable solutions, such as green roofs, vertical gardens, permeable pavements, and urban forests. These solutions not only help reduce noise pollution but also improve air quality, regulate temperature, and enhance the overall livability of the city.
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Use mods and DLC buildings to remove pollution
While it is impossible to achieve a city with zero pollution in Cities: Skylines, there are mods and DLC buildings that can help reduce and manage pollution levels.
Pollution Remover Mod
One popular option is the Pollution Remover mod, which allows players to disable all kinds of pollution, including ground, water, and noise pollution. This mod is accessible through the Steam Workshop and can be toggled while the city is running, providing a convenient way to manage pollution.
Eden Project Monument
The Eden Project monument is another effective tool for containing pollution. While it doesn't eliminate pollution, it prevents pollution from spreading to neighbouring buildings. This means that industrial areas will still generate ground pollution, but it will be contained within those areas. Additionally, the Eden Project monument increases land value across the entire map, causing all buildings to reach their highest level within a few in-game weeks.
School of Science Unique Faculty
Building a School of Science Unique Faculty within a University Campus Area has been shown to result in reduced city-wide pollution. This can be a strategic way to combat pollution while also investing in education for your city's residents.
Water Treatment Plants
Water treatment plants play a crucial role in reducing water pollution. While they don't completely eliminate pollution, they eliminate 85% of sewage pollution before disposal. This helps to ensure that the water supply remains relatively clean and safe for your city's citizens.
Floating Garbage Collector
The Floating Garbage Collector is an innovative solution for cleaning up bodies of water. When placed in flowing rivers or streams, it actively filters any water that passes over it, trapping garbage and reducing water pollution.
By utilizing a combination of mods and DLC buildings, players can effectively manage and reduce pollution in their cities, creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for their citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
Ground pollution is mostly generated by industry, power plants, and garbage management facilities. To reduce ground pollution, you can switch to renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines, solar power plants, and nuclear power plants. You can also separate industrial areas from residential zones and place polluting buildings away from residential areas. Additionally, you can change your industry to forestry or agriculture, as these sectors do not cause pollution.
Water pollution can be reduced by placing sewage downstream from freshwater sources. Water treatment plants can also help eliminate up to 85% of sewage pollution before disposal. Water recycling plants can remove water pollution after a certain amount of time.
Noise pollution is caused by traffic, industry, commercial zones, and certain buildings such as power plants. To reduce noise pollution, you can upgrade roads with sound barriers for motorways and trees for normal roads. Placing offices and parks can also help reduce noise pollution levels.











































