Fill Valve

The Fill Valve is an actuator component that automatically controls water flow to maintain a target downstream water depth. Players set the desired depth, and the valve opens or closes dynamically to keep the water level at that target. Costing 300 Science Points, the Fill Valve is one of the most powerful water management tools in the automation system, enabling hands-free control of irrigation channels, reservoirs, and distribution networks.

Unlike Floodgates (which are manually set to a specific height), Fill Valves respond dynamically to changing water conditions. When connected to an automation signal through the Automate button, the Fill Valve can be toggled between active and inactive states by upstream sensors or logic circuits. A typical setup connects a Depth Sensor upstream to ensure water is available before the Fill Valve attempts to draw it downstream. This prevents the valve from fighting against an empty channel. The Fill Valve can also receive signals from Contamination Sensors to automatically shut off water intake when contamination is detected.

For complex water distribution, deploy multiple Fill Valves at different points in your channel network, each set to maintain the appropriate depth for its location. A reservoir outlet might use a Fill Valve set to 1.5 meters to maintain farm irrigation depth, while a drinking water channel might use a valve set to 0.5 meters. Connecting these valves through an AND Gate with an upstream Depth Sensor (ensuring the source has enough water) prevents over-drawing from your reservoir. Fill Valves are most effective when combined with Throttling Valves for flow rate control, creating a comprehensive water management system that maintains both depth and flow throughout your settlement.