Dehydrator

The Dehydrator is a utility building that removes liquid by processing it so the game no longer counts that fluid as present. When the Dehydrator completes its removal, a fraction of the eliminated liquid is not perfectly contained by the machine and inevitably ends up on the floor near the building. This behavior is consistent across language sources and is the primary mechanical note associated with the Dehydrator.

Because some liquid will leak onto adjacent tiles, planning for the resulting puddles is the central operational concern when placing and using a Dehydrator. Uncollected liquid can create slip hazards for duplicants, interfere with nearby machinery, corrode or damage sensitive tiles or plants, or simply require extra maintenance time to clean up. The following practical considerations help manage and minimize the impact of these incidental spills:

• Place the Dehydrator over or adjacent to tiles that are easy to clean or that are intended to receive occasional liquid. Materials that are resistant to contamination or that can be quickly mopped are preferable for the immediate surroundings.
• Provide convenient access for mopping or automated cleanup by keeping the area clear of obstacles and avoiding narrow corridors where puddles will accumulate. Allow duplicants direct paths to the spill area to reduce travel time for cleanup tasks.
• Contain spills by situating the Dehydrator within a contained room or over a floor slope that directs leaked liquid toward a designated collection or disposal point. Any containment should be designed so that spilled fluid does not flow into critical infrastructure.
• Anticipate additional maintenance time in schedules and automation: because leaks are inevitable, factor regular cleanup into workflow and building placement so they do not repeatedly interrupt higher-priority tasks.
• Monitor nearby equipment and plants for adverse effects from occasional wetting. If a particular tile or machine is sensitive to moisture, locate the Dehydrator at a safe distance or provide reliable barriers to prevent stray liquid from reaching that equipment.

The inevitability of floor leakage means that the Dehydrator cannot be treated as a perfectly sealed disposal method; designers should account for secondary cleanup and containment when integrating it into a base. Proper placement, routine maintenance, and planning for spill management will keep the surrounding area functional and minimize disruption caused by the unavoidable puddles produced during dehydration.