Water Model Facts in SimCity 2000

Contributor/author(s): Wren Weburg

A test was conducted to determine how a water system effects a city's growth and stability. Here's the scoop:

A new city was built with the proper zone ratios and city services to adequately provide service to the city for populations up to 50,000. It was then saved as two different cities:

• City "A" was not given a water system and
• City "B" was given an adequate water system

The two cities were run twice, and the average of the observation calculations were noted:

• Both cities achieved 2,000 people after 8 months
• Both cities achieved 10,000 people after 17 months
• Once their populations leveled off at 25,000 people, they both stabilized

  Similar tests have shown that watered tiles do not grow any faster or denser than unwatered tiles.

  Aside from apparently doing very little for a city, the presence of water does in fact change a few things.

  Most notably, you can roughly triple your city's value by adding a water system. Testing shows that watered cities can have three times the value on a non-watered city. In addition, the city's value can fluctuate depending on how much of the city is watered.

  Generally, this is turn does not have any effect on the city. Bond rating does not improve with a watered, higher value city. Each individual zone gets a value boost if it is watered, although again, this does not seem to have any effect on anything.

  So, then, is it worth adding a water system? Based on what I have learned, no. If saving space in your city is more important than knowing your city is watered, then stay away from pumps, pipes, and water towers. On the other hand, aside from conserving space, it is a judgment call on your part. If you were living in your city, wouldn't you want to be able to take showers, flush the toilet, and do the dishes? Imagine what life would be like without tap water.

  Since this is only a game, all I can say is, do what you want with it. Water or no water, it's still a city.

  See also
  Phantom Water Pump Facts