Pokémon Pokopia Guide | How to Activate the Water Wheels in Withered Wasteland

A quick guide to turning on the Water Wheels in Withered Wasteland and unlocking the ability you need for the second one.

Game Guide by Jubair Baky on  Mar 15, 2026

The Water Wheels in Withered Wasteland are something many people try to activate early, but that is not possible for the full puzzle. You need to reach the later part of the game before you can finish everything properly. One wheel can be activated earlier with a small setup, but the second one is locked behind a special water ability. Once that ability is unlocked, the whole process becomes much easier.

How the First Water Wheel Works

The first Water Wheel can be turned on by opening a small hole that lets the water flow into place. This only works for the first wheel. It is a partial solution, not the full answer for the entire area. If you are standing in front of the setup and see one wheel moving, that means the first step is done correctly. The problem is that this method does not help with the second wheel.

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Why the Second Water Wheel Does Not Turn On

The second Water Wheel needs a different mechanic. It requires the ability to suck up water and place it where needed. Without that power, you cannot complete the second part of the puzzle. This is why the area feels blocked if you visit too early. The game expects you to come back later after unlocking the correct ability.

How to Unlock the Water Ability

To get the water ability, go to Bleak Beach and keep progressing through its quest line as far as possible. If you continue far enough, you will eventually unlock Piplup. After that, you need to complete the Pip Event. This is the important part. 

Once the Pip Event advances enough, you gain the power to suck up water. That is the exact ability needed for the second Water Wheel in Withered Wasteland.

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How to Use the Ability

After unlocking the power from Piplup and the Pip Event, you can suck up water and place it down wherever it is needed. This lets you control the flow instead of waiting for the environment to do it for you. Once you have that skill, return to Withered Wasteland and use it for the second Water Wheel. That is the missing step that completes the puzzle.

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The Fast Answer

If you only want the short version, the answer is simple: do the Pip Quests. The first Water Wheel can be activated earlier in a limited way, but the second one needs the water ability from Piplup. Progress through Bleak Beach, finish the Pip Event, unlock the power, and then come back to Withered Wasteland to finish the job.

Also, check our Pokémon Pokopia Review and other guides below:

Jubair Baky

Editor, NoobFeed

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