Chest Drainage. Water surrounding the lungs inside your chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion or pleurisy, is a common condition with many causes--up to 20 percent never discovered. This fluid compresses your lungs into a small space and makes breathing difficult. The method of removal is to simply install a drain between your ribs, usually called a chest tube, by a procedure called thoracentesis. This method applies suction to draw the water out, allowing your lung to re-expand.