Quick answer

For a renewable loop, use the Cryoblaster to create Snow, melt it into Steam, let the Steam reach the sky and become rain, then funnel the rain into a sealed reservoir.

Documented water sources

Rain from Steam

Steam that reaches the sky returns as rain. Capture it with sloped walls and a reservoir.

Melting Ice

Ice can be melted back into water. This is useful when a factory already has cold-material handling.

Underground deposits

Pumps can draw from water pockets once Pipes 1 is unlocked for 2,000 Gold.

Controlled duplication

Current community methods use heat and Steam. Results can depend on the current build and setup.

Build a safer Snow-to-rain loop

  1. Build a sealed collection basin. Close block corners so liquid cannot escape through diagonal gaps.
  2. Leave vertical Steam clearance. The gas needs a clear path to the sky before it can return as rain.
  3. Create Snow with the Cryoblaster. Tools 3 unlocks the Cryoblaster for 1,500 Gold.
  4. Melt the Snow in a controlled chamber. Keep the heat source away from your main storage pool.
  5. Guide rain back into storage. Use solid slopes and confirm that every corner is sealed.
  6. Feed production through a separate outlet. A buffer reservoir keeps Wet Sand and Wet Spore lines from draining the whole system.

Why loose droplets disappear

The official wiki states that a loose water droplet evaporates if it does not find a depression and settle within 45 seconds. Pools flatten out, while extra droplets can move across the surface until they settle or disappear.

This is why a wide, shallow catch tray can outperform an uneven natural cave. Give the water a low point quickly instead of letting it travel through open terrain.

About infinite water methods

The official wiki says there is no fully automatic duplication method documented. It notes that Rocket Launcher fire near Bedrock can be effective, while exploding underwater does not produce fire. Steam community reports describe Napalm rockets creating more Steam than the starting water in some setups.

Use a backup save

Large enclosed mixtures of fire, Snow, Steam, and water have caused severe simulation slowdowns in community reports. Prove the loop in a small chamber first.

What consumes water

  • One Sand pixel plus one Water pixel becomes two Wet Sand pixels.
  • One Spore absorbs one Water pixel and becomes one Wet Spore.
  • Water touching lava becomes Steam.