Abstract: A highly hydrophilic material that does not absorb hydrocarbon fuel is contained in a fabric tube, lowered by a drawstring to the bottom of a fuel container, there maintained until water at that position is extracted and thereafter removed for disposition. The hydrophilic material is preferably a graft polymerized starch or gelable polysaccharide such as agarose. The fabric container must be densely woven with fine intracies to contain the hydrolyzed hydrophilic material during placement and especially against fluidic heads during extraction. The fabric material is coated with polymeric material insoluble in hydrocarbon fuel but soluble in water, such as polyvinyl alcohol, to keep the fabric free of hydrocarbon encroachment during initial placement. Static electricity is removed from the system by coating the fabric material with antistatic agents of a surfactant nature and providing a conducting system which is externally grounded.