Hey there, fellow Raiders! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been scratching your head trying to figure out exactly where to go for the Water Troubles quest in ARC Raiders. I’ve been there too – running around the Dam Battlegrounds like a headless chicken, wondering where on earth this Flood Access Tunnel is supposed to be. Well, I’m here to save you that frustration because I’ve completed this quest multiple times and figured out all the ins and outs.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about completing Water Troubles in ARC Raiders, from start to finish. I’ll share the exact locations, some pro tips I’ve picked up along the way, and even tell you about some sweet loot opportunities you might otherwise miss.
What You Need to Know Before Starting?
First things first – you’ll pick up this quest from Celeste back in Speranza. She’s basically freaking out about the water quality (and honestly, who wouldn’t be in this post-apocalyptic nightmare?), and she needs you to collect a water sample from the Dam Battlegrounds.
Here’s the cool part: you don’t actually need to survive the raid to complete this quest. That’s right – even if you get wrecked by ARCs or other players after collecting the sample, you’ll still be able to turn it in when you get back to Speranza. I learned this the hard way after my first attempt ended with me becoming robot food, but I still got my rewards!
Quick Tip: Run this with a free loadout if you’re nervous about losing your good gear. There’s no extraction requirement for the quest itself, so you can go in light and focus purely on getting that water sample.
The Three Objectives (And How I Complete Them)
The quest breaks down into three main objectives, and I’m going to walk you through each one exactly how I do it:
1. Locate the Flood Access Tunnel under the Red Lake Balcony
This is where most people get tripped up, and I was no exception. The quest description says it’s “under the Red Lake Balcony,” but that’s not quite accurate. Let me save you some running around.
Here’s exactly where you need to go:
- Head to the Dam Battlegrounds map
- Make your way to the Red Lakes area (it’s in the middle-eastern part of the map)
- Look for the Control Tower POI – this is your landmark
- The Flood Access Tunnel is actually directly to the east of the Control Tower
I’ve found two solid ways to get there:
Method 1: The High Ground Approach
- Get to the Red Lake Balcony first
- Use any of the ladders or ziplines to get down
- Follow the wall west until you spot a big pipe at the top of a slope
- Watch out for that Rocketeer that loves to patrol this area – he’s ruined my day more than once!
Method 2: The Ground Floor Approach
- Descend further up the dam structure
- Follow the wall southwest
- You’ll see the massive pipe opening built into the lower part of the dam
When you spot that big concrete pipe, you’ll know you’re in the right place. You should get a quest notification pop up to confirm you’ve found the Flood Access Tunnel.
2. Find the Intake to the District’s Water Supply
This part is actually pretty straightforward once you’ve found the tunnel entrance. Just head inside that big pipe you just located. The tunnel leads to a room with a pool of murky water – that’s your District’s Water Supply.
I’ve noticed that this area is usually pretty quiet in terms of enemy activity, but I still recommend moving cautiously. You never know when another player might be lurking around, or when ARCs might decide to patrol through.
3. Sample the Water
This is the easy part! Once you’re in the room with the filthy water pool, you’ll see a pipe running into the water. Just walk up to it and you’ll get the option to “Sample Water.” Give it a click, and boom – quest completed!
The water sampling point is hard to miss. It’s a highlighted supply pipe submerged in the polluted water. When I first did this, I was looking for some fancy scientific equipment, but nope – just interact with the pipe and you’re good to go.
My Pro Tips for Water Troubles Success
After running this quest probably a dozen times now, I’ve picked up some tricks that make it way easier. Let me share them with you:
Navigation Tips
- Use the Control Tower as your north star – Seriously, this POI is your best friend for locating the tunnel
- Approach from the east – I’ve found this gives you the best visual approach to the pipe entrance
- Watch for the Harvester event – If that queen is active, she loves to patrol this exact area. Maybe wait for another match or be extra sneaky
Combat and Survival Tips
- Free loadout is your friend – Since you don’t need to extract with anything special, why risk your good gear?
- Stealth is key – I’ve learned that avoiding fights altogether is often the best strategy. The ARCs in this area can be nasty if you’re not prepared
- Watch for Rocketeers – There’s usually one patrolling near the Red Lakes Balcony extraction point. I’ve been ambushed by him more times than I care to admit
Extraction Strategy
Even though you don’t need to extract to complete the quest, you might as well grab some loot while you’re there, right? Here’s what I do:
Best Extraction Points:
- Red Lakes Balcony Lift – It’s close but can be hot with enemy activity
- Testing Annex – Usually safer but requires a bit more travel
Loot Opportunities in the Area:
- Control Tower – Always worth a quick loot run
- Research & Development (R&D) – This place is a goldmine for medical supplies and trinkets that sell for good money back at Speranza
What Rewards Are You Getting?
Let me tell you, the rewards for this quest are actually pretty decent, especially if you’re just starting out. Here’s exactly what Celeste will give you:
| Reward Item | Quantity | My Personal Usefulness Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Components | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Essential for crafting) |
| Simple Gun Parts | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Great for early weapon crafting) |
| Steel Springs | 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Needed for various upgrades) |
I’ve found these rewards particularly valuable in the early game. The Mechanical Components especially – you can never have enough of those for crafting and upgrades.
Bonus: What Else Is In This Area?
One of the things I love about ARC Raiders is that there’s always more to discover if you know where to look. The area around the Water Troubles quest location is actually fantastic for farming certain resources:
Fruit Farming Opportunities
I stumbled upon this by accident, but the area near the Raider Hatch (which is close to your quest location) has some of the best fruit farming on the Dam Battlegrounds map:
Apricot Trees: There’s an abundance of them near the edge of the map. I can usually grab 10-15 apricots in a single run if I take the time to look.
Prickly Pears: These are a bit trickier to spot, but they’re worth it. Look for them on the ground near groups of cacti. They’re easy to miss if you’re not specifically looking for them.
Other Notable Locations
- Raider Hatch – Worth checking for potential key spawns
- Various small buildings – Often contain medical supplies and crafting materials
- Crate spawns – Keep an eye out for weapon and utility crates
2026 Common Problems I’ve Encountered (And How to Fix Them)
Let me address some issues I’ve run into while doing this quest, because I know I’m not the only one who’s struggled with these:
“I Can’t Find the Tunnel!”
This is probably the most common issue, and I struggled with it too. Remember:
- It’s NOT directly under the balcony as the quest suggests
- Look EAST of the Control Tower
- It’s a big concrete pipe, not a small tunnel entrance
“The Water Sample Option Won’t Appear!”
If this happens, you’re probably in the wrong room. Make sure:
- You’re in the room with the murky water pool
- You’re looking at the pipe that’s actually IN the water
- You’re close enough to the pipe (the interaction prompt has a short range)
“There Are Too Many Enemies Here!”
Yeah, this area can get hot. My advice:
- Try a different server/time if it’s consistently too crowded
- Use stealth – crouch walk and avoid open areas
- Consider running during off-peak hours when there are fewer players
Why This Quest Matters? (Beyond the Rewards)
I’ve learned that completing Water Troubles isn’t just about the immediate rewards. This quest is actually the first in a series of water-related quests from Celeste. By completing it, you’re unlocking:
- Source of the Contamination (the next quest in the series)
- Access to new looting areas that become available as you progress through Celeste’s questline
- Improved standing with Celeste, which can lead to better trade options and unique items
When I first started playing, I just treated quests as individual tasks, but now I see them as part of a larger progression system. Completing Water Troubles efficiently sets you up for success in later quests.
My Final Thoughts on Water Troubles
Look, I’ll be honest with you – the Water Troubles quest isn’t the most exciting mission in ARC Raiders, but it’s definitely one of the most important for early game progression. I’ve found that mastering this quest early on makes the rest of Celeste’s questline much easier to handle.
The key takeaways I want you to remember are:
- Location is everything – East of Control Tower, not under the balcony
- Free loadout is viable – Don’t risk your good gear unnecessarily
- There’s bonus loot nearby – Make the most of your time in the area
- It’s part of a larger questline – Complete it to unlock future content
I hope this guide helps you complete Water Troubles without all the frustration I went through when I first started. If you have any questions or if there’s something I missed, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy raiding, and I’ll see you topside!
FAQ: Water Troubles ARC Raiders
Do I need to extract to complete the Water Troubles quest?
Nope! That’s one of the best things about this quest. You can complete all three objectives and even if you die before extracting, you’ll still be able to turn in the quest when you return to Speranza. I’ve tested this multiple times myself.
Where exactly is the Flood Access Tunnel located?
The tunnel is located directly to the east of the Control Tower POI in the Dam Battlegrounds. It’s a large concrete pipe built into the lower part of the dam structure. Don’t look directly under the Red Lake Balcony as the quest suggests – that’s misleading.
What level should I be to attempt Water Troubles?
Honestly, you can attempt this quest at any level. Since you can use a free loadout and don’t need to extract, even brand new players can complete it. I’d recommend having at least basic knowledge of the Dam Battlegrounds map though.
Can I complete Water Troubles solo?
Absolutely! I’ve completed this quest solo multiple times. In fact, going solo might even be easier since you don’t have to coordinate with teammates and can move more stealthily.
What happens if I disconnect after collecting the water sample?
Don’t worry! The game saves your quest progress automatically. As long as you’ve collected the sample, it will register as completed even if you disconnect or crash. You’ll still get your rewards when you next visit Celeste.
Are there any enemies I should specifically watch out for in this area?
Yes! Keep an eye out for:
- Rocketeers – They love patrolling near the Red Lakes Balcony extraction point
- Wasps and Hornets – Common around extraction points in this area
- The Harvester Queen – If the Harvester event is active, she patrols this exact area
Can I complete other quests while doing Water Troubles?
Definitely! I often combine Water Troubles with other Dam Battlegrounds quests to maximize my efficiency. Just make sure you have enough inventory space for all the quest items you might collect.
How long does Water Troubles typically take to complete?
If you know exactly where you’re going, you can complete this quest in about 5-10 minutes. My personal best is around 7 minutes from drop to sample collection. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, budget 15-20 minutes.
Is the Water Troubles quest repeatable?
No, like most quests in ARC Raiders, you can only complete Water Troubles once per character. However, the knowledge you gain from completing it will help you with future quests in the same area.
What should I do with the rewards from Water Troubles?
I recommend using the Mechanical Components and Steel Springs for crafting and upgrading your gear. The Simple Gun Parts are great for early weapon crafting. Don’t sell them unless you’re absolutely desperate for credits!
Want more ARC Raiders guides and tips? Check out our other ARC Raiders quest guides and Dam Battlegrounds map guide for more comprehensive coverage. And don’t forget to bookmark this page – I’ll be updating it as new strategies and tips emerge!