What is a CPAP Water Chamber?

What is a CPAP Water Chamber?

The water chamber is the removable container that holds the water in your humidifier (see the clear plastic tub on the left below).

Using a humidifier can make a positive difference to your therapy comfort and experience. By warming and moistening the air you’re breathing, it helps prevent you having a dry nose and throat and can help you keep your mouth closed while you sleep.

Humidification helps to improve comfort and thus improves compliance. Read more about heated humidification for CPAP therapy here.


How do I clean and maintain my CPAP waterchamber?

Like all of the other components of your sleep apnea equipment, your water chamber should be cleaned on a regular basis.


1. Empty and residual water from the chamber when you wake up in the morning.
2. Leave the water chamber out to dry thoroughly.
3. Use distilled water to prevent mineral build up in your water chamber and tubing. While it’s ok to use tap water occasionally, like when travelling (read more about that here), manufacturers recommend using distilled water for optimal usage.

How often do I need to replace my CPAP water chamber?

Manufacturers recommend replacing a standard water chamber every 6 months.

Most insurance companies follow Medicare guidelines and will authorize a new water chamber this often. This means that if you’re receiving a new CPAP supply shipment every 90 days, your shipment should include a new water chamber in every other order. Check with your equipment provider or contact your insurance company to see what they allow.

The CPT code for a water chamber is A7046.

How do I know if I need to replace my water chamber?

The chamber may develop cracks, pitted areas, or discoloration owing to minerals in the water and buildup inside the chamber. As the material deteriorates, cracks may trap bacteria from moisture. If this happens before six months of usage, you should replace it.

Do you have questions about your therapy? Is it time to order replacement CPAP supplies?

Contact us today and get the help you need.

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  1. Irene Reply

    May I empty water chamber and put water in covered container while chamber is cleaned and dries and replace the saved water in the chamber the next evening?

    • Judy Ann Chance Reply


    • Justin Reply

      You should never reuse water in the chamber from the previous night as the old water can develop bacteria and germs. Its always best to empty the humidifier chamber and refill with fresh distilled water each night.

  2. Stuart Black Reply

    I have had 4 water chambers due to cracking at the front edge. Is this common as it is the same area all the time.

    • Justin Reply

      It could be a manufacturer defect. Check with the original supplier to see if there is a recall on the product and to inquire about an exchange/refund. They may have been damaged during shipping/recieving, production or general handling

  3. william cartagena Reply

    Dear Julia Rodriguez first time happens the water in the chamber become very hot and the tube become warm. Is this correct ?
    CPAP S9

    • Justin Reply

      The heated tubing will be warm. The humidifier chamber should also be warm- not hot. There may be a defect in the cpap machine itself. Water should never be hot.

  4. Ferteama Mcfadden Reply

    I have noticed several mole specks beneath the rubber on the lid of my water chamber. Tried cleaning it. It wont come off.Should I stop using it?

    • Justin Reply

      Stop using it and see if you can exchange for a new humidifier chamber. Cpap equipment, like all medical equipment, works best and safest when it is clean and properly maintained.

  5. Patricia Reply

    New to using cpak I put distill water in where it suppose to go fill it to the line, when I wake in the morning the tank is still full, is this normal?

    • Justin Reply

      Yea this is completely normal. This just means there is a lot of humidity already in the room you are sleeping in, so the cpap machine didnt need to use as much water in the humidifier chamber

  6. Elaine Reply

    I have had my machine for over a year and no one has ever contacted me to replace anything. I have no idea who is supposed to be contacted to get new tubing or any other part.

    • Justin Reply

      A few options:
      1) The place you purchased your cpap machine and supplies from usually sends an email or calls when its time to replace your machine or supplies

      2) if you have a medical insurance provider, they’ll usually email you that its time to replace your machine and supplies.

      The general rule is cpap machine will usually need to be replaced every 4 years. Cpap supplies need to be replaced every 6 months

  7. Beth Reply

    My new CP replacement water tank has no water line. so how much water (distilled) should I fill it with?

    • Justin Reply

      Start by filling it half way. If its empty by the time you get up in the morning, fill it slightly more. If its not empty by the morning, fill it a bit less

  8. Deborah Burdex Reply


    • Justin Reply

      This just means there is enough humidity in the room you currently sleep in, so the machine isnt having to compensate by adding more humidity to the air youre breathing in via the cpap machine

  9. Jacki Reply

    Water chamber was empty and hot

  10. Testicle Massage Reply

    Amazing blog post. Thanks a lot!!

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