Treating Polluted Water: Innovative Solutions For A Clean Future

Polluted water is a common issue in the game Oxygen Not Included, and it can be a nuisance to deal with. Despite its toxic side effects, polluted water is a helpful tool and can be used as a coolant, to irrigate plants, and even converted into clean water. There are several ways to deal with polluted water, including isolating it, purifying it, or converting it into steam to produce small amounts of dirt. Players can also use it as a coolant, as it has a wider temperature range than pure water. Additionally, polluted water can be used to farm specific plants and can be converted into clean oxygen through deodorization.

Use it to irrigate certain plants

Polluted water can be used to irrigate certain plants, but caution is advised as contaminated water can cause plants to discolour, become stunted, grow irregularly, or even die. Consuming fruits or vegetables irrigated with polluted water can also make people extremely sick.

If you are going to use polluted water for irrigation, it is important to test the water and the plants at least once a year. Rainwater harvested in rain barrels, for example, may be polluted by sick birds' or squirrels' feces. Heavy metals such as lead and zinc can also be found in roof runoff.

Some plants that can be irrigated with polluted water include the pincha pepper, thimble reed, bog bucket, and arbor tree. According to one source, the pincha pepper requires 35 kg/cycle of polluted water, the thimble reed requires 160 kg/cycle, the bog bucket requires 40 kg/cycle, and the arbor tree requires 70 kg/cycle.

In addition to the plants listed above, certain aquatic plants can be used to clean polluted water. Water hyacinth, for example, can absorb lead elements in polluted rivers. However, it should be carefully monitored as it has a quick reproduction process and can become a weed. Similarly, kiambang (Salvinia molesta) can absorb pollutant substances through its fibrous roots, but its growth must be restrained to avoid damaging the ecosystem. Finally, vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a resistant grass that can survive in habitats contaminated with heavy metals and has been shown to reduce carbon, phosphate, and nitrogen contamination from organic waste pollution.

Turn it into steam to power your base

Polluted water is a common issue in the Oxygen Not Included game, often caused by duplicants or as a by-product of certain amenities. One way to deal with this issue is to turn the polluted water into steam and use it to power your base.

To do this, you can use a liquid tepidizer built out of gold ore to boil the polluted water and evaporate it into steam, leaving behind sand. The gold ore will protect the tepidizer from damage or melting. However, some players have reported that the tepidizer doesn't heat above 85°C, which is insufficient for boiling polluted water.

Another method is to use an aquatuner, which can be used to clean small amounts of polluted water. By dripping polluted water onto the aquatuner, you can take advantage of the heat it generates to turn the water into steam and clean it. You can then use airflow tiles to direct the steam into an adjacent basin, where it can recondense into fresh water.

Once you have generated steam, you can use it to power your base by utilising steam turbines. Steam turbines are devices that draw in steam and use it to generate electrical power, with the output being water. They are most effective when the steam temperature is above 125°C. The power output of the turbine depends on the consumption rate and the temperature of the steam.

By combining these techniques, you can turn polluted water into steam, use the steam to generate power, and even obtain fresh water as a by-product. This approach can help you deal with polluted water issues while also providing a sustainable source of energy for your base in Oxygen Not Included.

Use it as a coolant

Polluted water is a great option for use as a coolant in Oxygen Not Included. It has a high specific heat capacity and a wider boiling and freezing range than water, brine, and salt water. This makes it a highly effective coolant that can be obtained early in the game.

When using polluted water as a coolant, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the polluted water does not contain any germs, as these can contaminate the system. Most naturally occurring and produced polluted water is germ-free, but it is always good to check. Secondly, while polluted water is a great coolant, it is not suitable for all applications. For example, if you are trying to cool something down to between -20 and -60 degrees, petroleum or another coolant with a lower freezing point will be necessary. Additionally, if you are using an aquatuner, the choice of coolant will depend on the temperature range you are working with. Polluted water is generally a good option for aquatuners, as it has a high specific heat capacity and can absorb a lot of heat. However, other coolants like petroleum or crude oil may be better if you require quick heat transfer or are working with specific temperature ranges.

When using polluted water as a coolant, you can pump it into a liquid reservoir and then cycle it through your system. This will help extend its use and make it last for multiple processes. It is important to start with cool water and work in batches to prevent overheating. Additionally, you can set up near a large pool of polluted water, pump the water into your system, and then dump it back into the pool to cool it down. This method can work well for refining gold, copper, iron, or cobalt.

Overall, polluted water is a valuable resource in Oxygen Not Included and can be effectively used as a coolant in many situations. By understanding its properties and following best practices, players can take advantage of this readily available resource to meet their cooling needs.

Purify it with a water sieve

Purifying polluted water with a water sieve is a great way to make use of this abundant resource. Water sieves are a helpful building in the game as they allow a colony to operate structures like the carbon skimmer or the lavatory without consuming clean water. Instead, they consume filtration media, which is more abundant.

To use a water sieve, you will need to supply it with a filtration medium and polluted water through a liquid pipe on its input port. The water sieve will then output clean water to the liquid pipe on its output slot, which can be deposited from a liquid vent. It is important to note that the water sieve does not remove any germs that may be present in the polluted water, so be sure to keep your main water supply separate to avoid contamination.

The ratio for filtering polluted water with a water sieve is 5 kg/s polluted water + 1 kg/s sand or regolith = 5 kg/s water + 200 g/s polluted dirt. The polluted dirt produced by the water sieve will be dropped on the floor when its internal storage is full. Additionally, the water sieve does not change the temperature of the water.

Water sieves are also useful for producing polluted water from clean water, which can be helpful for certain structures that require polluted water to operate. Overall, the water sieve is a versatile building that can help you manage your water resources more efficiently.

Feed it to Gulp Fish to convert it into clean water

Polluted water is a common issue in the game Oxygen Not Included, and there are several ways to deal with it. One method is to feed it to Gulp Fish, which will convert it into clean water. This approach is an effective way to manage polluted water and ensure a steady supply of clean water for your base.

Gulp Fish are a unique species that can consume polluted water and output clean water, making them a valuable asset in the game. They can thrive in a wide temperature range, from as low as 3°C to 40°C, making them adaptable to various environmental conditions. Additionally, they do not require feeding to maintain their population, which simplifies the maintenance process.

To set up a Gulp Fish cleaning tank, you will need to consider a few key factors. First, ensure that the water temperature is suitable for the Gulp Fish, as mentioned earlier. Second, manage the population of the fish by replacing them or feeding them to maintain their numbers. This is important because there is always a chance for non-gulp fish eggs to be present, even at low water temperatures.

Another consideration is to use a hydro or pressure sensor to control the water level in the tank. By linking the vent to a sensor, you can ensure that the water level remains at the desired point, preventing overflow. Additionally, you may need to heat the water slightly to avoid it turning into ice as the Gulp Fish clean it. This is a more energy-efficient approach than heating the ice directly.

By following these steps and experimenting with your setup, you can effectively use Gulp Fish to convert polluted water into clean water. This method offers a sustainable solution to managing polluted water and provides a reliable source of clean water for your base in Oxygen Not Included.

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