As Malaysia becomes a regional hub for global data centers, the demand for water resources is skyrocketing. Data centers play a critical role in our digital economy, but they also have a significant environmental footprint, particularly when it comes to water usage.

With many facilities still relying on potable water from Malaysia’s municipal supply, there is a unique opportunity to adopt sustainable practices. Bacfree’s Rainwater Harvesting System (RWHS) offers a viable solution that not only supports data center operations but also contributes to Malaysia’s water sustainability goals.

Water Consumption Challenges for Data Centers

Key Insights:

• Data centers use vast amounts of water for cooling, with an average-sized data center consuming between 500,000 to 1,000,000 liters daily.
• Globally, the data center industry is responsible for 1% of the world’s freshwater use, a figure expected to rise with increasing cloud computing demands.
• In Malaysia, where water is abundant but infrastructure is sometimes strained, over-reliance on potable water for non-essential uses can affect local communities and ecosystems.

How Bacfree’s Rainwater Harvesting System Can Help

Bacfree’s Rainwater Harvesting System (RWHS) provides a sustainable water alternative for data centers, ensuring operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.

1. Cooling Systems

   • Cooling is a critical process in data centers, as maintaining optimal temperatures prevents equipment failures.
   • Rainwater can be efficiently used in cooling towers and evaporative cooling systems, reducing the burden on municipal supplies.
   • By leveraging natural rainwater, data centers can help alleviate pressure on potable water resources.

2. Non-Potable Uses

   • Beyond cooling, harvested rainwater can be used for landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and cleaning.
   • This promotes a circular water economy, where non-potable water is reused effectively, aligning with sustainability principles.

3. Enhancing Water Resilience

   • The rainwater harvesting system acts as a buffer during dry seasons or water supply disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
   • This resilience is crucial for data centers, where downtime can lead to significant risks for businesses and service reliability.

Environmental Impact of Implementing RWHS in Data Centers

Reducing Water Footprint:

• Replacing potable water with rainwater harvesting for cooling systems and non-drinking purposes can save up to 182 million liters of potable water annually for a 10 MW data center.
• This is equivalent to providing enough water for over 1,000 Malaysian households per year.

Supporting Local Water Ecosystems:

• By reducing dependency on municipal water, data centers can help maintain water availability for local communities and ecosystems, particularly during peak demand periods.

Minimizing Stormwater Runoff:

• The system captures and stores rainwater, reducing urban flooding risks and supporting Malaysia’s flood mitigation strategies.
• Stormwater management is a growing concern in Malaysia, especially with seasonal monsoon rains.

A Win-Win for Data Centers and Malaysia

Implementing Bacfree’s Rainwater Harvesting System offers data centers a unique opportunity to:

• Enhance water sustainability by using alternative water sources.
• Contribute to Malaysia’s water conservation initiatives, supporting local water resilience.
• Align with ESG goals, showcasing environmental responsibility to stakeholders and communities.

By adopting innovative water management solutions, data centers can help future-proof Malaysia’s digital economy while caring for the planet.

Ready to Make Every Drop Count?

Discover how Bacfree’s Rainwater Harvesting System can empower data centers to achieve sustainability without compromising operational efficiency.