How to Complete Water Troubles Quest in ARC Raiders
If you’ve been tackling Celeste’s quest list in ARC Raiders, you’ve probably noticed that Water Troubles sits in that sweet spot between “too easy” and “frustratingly vague.” The quest itself doesn’t require fancy gear or intense combat skills, but actually locating the Flood Access Tunnel? That’s where most players hit a wall.
I’ll walk you through exactly where to go and what to do so you can knock this quest out quickly and move on to more challenging missions.
Quest Overview: What You Need to Know
Quest Giver: Celeste
Location: Dam Battlegrounds
Difficulty: Easy
Recommended Loadout: Free loadout works fine (low-risk mission)
Extraction Points: Testing Annex, Control Tower area
The beauty of Water Troubles is that it’s a low-stakes quest perfect for newer players or anyone looking to farm some essential crafting materials without risking their premium gear. There’s minimal enemy interference if you stay focused on the objective.
Step 1: Navigate to Red Lakes Balcony
Once you spawn into Dam Battlegrounds, your first destination is the Red Lakes Balcony. This landmark sits roughly in the center of the map, close to the Control Tower—if you’ve completed quests like Dam Control Tower Key or Dam Surveillance Key, you’ll recognize this area immediately.
Finding Your Way:
- If you’re already on the balcony structure, look for ladders leading down to ground level
- If you’re approaching from below, head northwest from the Control Tower
- Keep your eyes peeled for a tunnel entrance carved into the rocky terrain
The tunnel entrance isn’t always obvious from a distance, especially with all the visual clutter from Arc machines patrolling nearby. Look for a climbable section that leads into a dark passage—that’s your target.
Step 2: Enter the Flood Access Tunnel and Sample the Water
Here’s where the quest gets surprisingly simple. Once you’re inside the Flood Access Tunnel, forget about exploring deeper or climbing ziplines. The water sample location is right there at the entrance.
How to Complete the Objective:
- Enter the tunnel and stop near the entrance area
- Look for the large pipe submerged in murky, contaminated water
- Approach the water directly in front of the pipe
- Hold the interact button to collect your sample
That’s it. No complex puzzle mechanics, no enemy waves—just a quick interaction and you’re done. Honestly, the hardest part of this quest is finding the tunnel itself, which is why so many players get stuck on it initially.
Post-Quest Strategy: Extraction and Loot Opportunities
With the Water Troubles quest complete, you have options. If you’re playing conservatively or running multiple quest chains, head straight for extraction at Testing Annex if it’s available.
But here’s a pro tip: Before you extract, consider hitting up these high-value locations:
Control Tower Loot
This area often has mechanical components and tech scraps useful for workbench upgrades.
Research & Development Building
R&D is a goldmine for medical supplies and trinkets. If you’ve got inventory space, grab everything you can carry—these items sell for solid prices back at base. It’s basically free money if you have the backpack space.
Extraction Safety Tips
Extraction points frequently attract Wasps and Hornets, especially around Testing Annex. Follow these survival tactics:
- Never stand in the open while waiting for the extraction elevator
- Hide inside nearby buildings or dense bushes
- Listen for audio cues indicating Arc machines are patrolling
- Have an escape route planned if things go sideways
If you’re worried about losing gear, make sure you’ve unlocked Safe Pockets to protect your most valuable items. Also, always carry a Raider Hatch Key as backup.
Water Troubles Quest Rewards in ARC Raiders
After successfully extracting and returning to base, head to the Vendors tab to claim your rewards from Celeste:
- Mechanical Components x3 – Essential for weapon and workbench upgrades
- Simple Gun Parts x3 – Used in weapon upgrade paths
- Steel Spring x3 – Crafting material for advanced equipment
While these aren’t the most exciting rewards in the game, they’re practical materials you’ll definitely need as you progress. The Mechanical Components alone make this quest worth completing, especially if you’re working on blueprint farming projects.
Why This Quest Matters for Progression
Water Troubles might seem like just another fetch quest, but it serves several purposes for your overall ARC Raiders journey:
- Low-Risk Material Farming – Perfect for building up crafting supplies without gambling expensive loadouts
- Map Familiarity – Forces you to explore Dam Battlegrounds, which helps with future quests in this area
- Celeste Reputation – Completing her quests unlocks better rewards and more challenging missions down the line
If you’re new to the game, pair this quest with other Dam Battlegrounds objectives like Straight Record or exploration tasks to maximize your time in the zone.
Additional Resources for ARC Raiders Players
Looking to optimize your gameplay beyond Water Troubles? Check out these essential guides:
- New Players: Start with our best tips and tricks survival guide
- Skill Building: Learn which skills to unlock first for early game dominance
- Resource Farming: Master coin farming techniques and XP leveling strategies
- Quest Chains: Complete Celeste’s other missions like After Rain Comes
Platform Links
- Official Site: ARC Raiders
- PlayStation: Get it on PS Store
- Xbox: Download on Xbox Store
Final Thoughts
Water Troubles is one of those quests that seems harder than it actually is. Once you know the Flood Access Tunnel is right below Red Lakes Balcony, the whole thing takes maybe five minutes to complete. The real challenge is navigating Dam Battlegrounds efficiently and extracting safely with your loot intact.
Treat this as a warmup quest while you’re learning the map layout. Pair it with nearby objectives, grab some extra loot from R&D, and always—always—check for Arc machines before calling that extraction elevator.
Now get out there and show Celeste you can handle her water quality concerns. Those Mechanical Components aren’t going to craft themselves!
Need help with other ARC Raiders quests? Browse our complete quest list for walkthroughs and strategy tips.
