Depends on the ground, in RL. Not sure if it’s possible to program it into the game, easily at least, a difference between liquids spilled on different terrain. If it’s been split on a concrete or metal floor there’s not a huge amount of contaminants. Compared to dirt where the shop vac shouldn’t’ even be usable.
Clean water could always turn to regular water when split, that way when you gather it back it’s still contaminated. Bleach/ammonia/vinegar are cleaning agents though, depending on the surface type, some amount should be salvageable.
Semi-related, realize this would be a BIG thing to add in, but adding a cleanliness system to the game would be interesting. Needing to keep your cleanliness up or take small health penalties. A morale bonus for staying extra clean. System could be used on terrain to determine contamination loss. So if a character bleaches a metal floor, something spilled there could be almost entirely recovered by a shop vac. – But yeah know that would be a huge thing to add in, so don’t really expect it xD
