probably stolen water guide
Probably Stolen water purification and trading guide
Clean water is worth more than gold on the station, making the Water Merchant trade one of the safest and highest-margin production chains in Probably Stolen. By combining tap upgrades, the Hydratech Micro Purifier, Aquascan verification, and an upgraded Bottle Printer, you can turn cheap contaminated liquids into premium bottled stock.
Dynamic information verified 2026-10-28
| Water Equipment / Upgrade | How to Obtain or Upgrade | Core Function in Water Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Trading Guide | Purchased from Dr. Jackson (added in Patch 48.3.10) | Provides in-game reference for water grades, testing, and processing |
| Gutterflow on Tap / Rustwater on Tap | Unlocked via Wild's Network (Retired Water Merchant) | Supplies raw unpurified water directly to your shop for processing |
| Hydratech Micro Purifier | Shop processing machine (powered overnight or via batteries) | Purifies contaminated water up to the 98% purity threshold |
| Bottle Printer (Normal & Large) | Upgraded using Electronic Parts (Update 049) | Prints normal and large containers so you never run out of bottles |
| Aquascan | Handheld liquid diagnostic scanner | Reads exact liquid purity and contamination before labeling or sale |
How the water economy works on the station
Whether you start directly in the Water Merchant scenario or pivot into water processing mid-run by purchasing the Water Trading Guide from Dr. Jackson and unlocking the Retired Water Merchant on Wild's Network, water trading revolves around three steps: sourcing raw liquid, purifying it, and bottling it with accurate (or deliberately forged) labels.
Wild's Network upgrades include Gutterflow on Tap and Rustwater on Tap, giving you a steady in-shop supply of low-grade liquid. You can also pour water rations directly into filters—a mechanic fixed in Update 049 so ration packets filter properly alongside bulk containers.
Reaching 98% purity with Filters and the Hydratech Micro Purifier
Raw station water carries contaminants that lower its resale price and create customer liability if sold untreated. Passing water through basic filters removes coarse impurities, while the Hydratech Micro Purifier refines liquid up to high-grade 98% purity.
Update 049 resolved a floating-point precision bug where the Hydratech Micro Purifier occasionally stalled just below 98% purity. Always scan finished batches with the Aquascan before bottling; the Aquascan tooltip immediately displays the latest purity reading so you can verify the batch meets customer standards.
Upgrading the Bottle Printer and managing container tags
A water mogul is constantly bottlenecked by empty containers. In Update 049, the Bottle Printer became upgradable using Electronic Parts, unlocking both the normal bottle printer setting and the large bottle printer setting so you can manufacture high-volume jugs on demand.
Keep container classification rules in mind during market events: liquid containers only count as Water Goods while they hold liquid, and revert to Household Goods when empty (the water pitcher is also classified as a Household Item). Market events dynamically reprice both the liquid inside and the container itself.
Common questions
FAQ
Why won't regular customers buy my Premium Spring Water?
As of Update 049, Premium Spring Water has the Water tag, but non-Upper Level customers and tourists will not accept it. Reserve Premium Spring Water for Upper Level buyers.
How do I get bigger bottles for water trading in Probably Stolen?
Upgrade your Bottle Printer using Electronic Parts to unlock both the normal bottle printer and the large bottle printer recipes.
Does an empty water bottle count as a water item during market events?
No. Water containers only count as water goods while holding liquid; when empty, they are classified as household goods.
Evidence log
Information sources
- 01store.steampowered.comChecked 2026-10-28
- 02store.steampowered.comChecked 2026-10-28
- 03store.steampowered.comChecked 2026-10-28
- 04store.steampowered.comChecked 2026-10-28
- 05store.steampowered.comChecked 2026-10-28