Cities Skylines 2: Water Sources
In “Cities: Skylines II”, players encounter two kinds of water sources. Surface water, reminiscent of the previous game, comprises dynamic entities such as flowing rivers, serene lakes, and expansive oceans. Meanwhile, Groundwater introduces a fresh dimension, enhancing the depth and possibilities of water and sewage mechanics!
SURFACE WATER
The Cities: Skylines series is renowned for its vibrant, dynamic water landscapes. Every game map boasts features like rivers, lakes, or oceans, each with varying water flow intensities. While lakes and oceans typically have subtle flows, rivers gush with water, starting from their sources and ending at deltas by lakes or oceans.
Water movement is pivotal in surface water gameplay. It influences where you obtain water and directs where the polluted water from Sewage Outlets goes. Given the vulnerability of surface water to pollution, strategic placement of the Water Pumping Station and Sewage Outlet is essential to prevent water source contamination. The Water infoview, complemented by the Surface Water Flow overlay, offers insights into the water flow’s direction and vigor on the map.
GROUNDWATER
Introduced for the first time in Cities: Skylines II, groundwater brings a fresh layer to the game’s dynamics. Present on all game maps, these groundwater reserves can be tapped using the Groundwater Pumping Station. Each groundwater deposit naturally refills over time, thanks to its inherent replenishment rate. Nonetheless, if the extraction rate surpasses this replenishment, the groundwater deposit might temporarily deplete. Halting or minimizing the pumping activity, possibly by adjusting the budget and thus the station’s efficiency, allows these reservoirs to recover.
However, groundwater is notably sensitive to land pollution. If pollutants seep into these deposits, the ensuing contamination sends tainted water into the city’s supply. Fortunately, once the source of pollution is addressed, the groundwater deposit’s purity gradually restores at a rate mirroring its natural replenishment.
Groundwater serves as a practical solution for cities needing water, especially on maps with scarce surface water resources. Furthermore, it’s essential for Geothermal Power Plants, as they rely on these groundwater deposits to generate electricity.
