KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 11): The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) is proposing that water operators assess the need for data centres to secure water supply from alternative sources during their planning approval application process.

This is to make sure that the mushrooming data centres in the country do not put pressure on the water supply, even as these digital infrastructure spurs economic growth, stated SPAN in a statement released on Monday.

“The use of alternative water sources such as reclaimed water, seawater and so forth depends on the availability and adequacy of such alternative sources in the proposed development areas of data centres.

“Therefore, during the stage of KM [planning approval] application, water operators must assess the need for data centres to secure water supply from alternative sources other than treated water meant for drinking,” said SPAN.

These include a study on the compliance requirements of the minimum rate of alternative water sources such as reclaimed water, rainwater or seawater (desalination) by data centres, said SPAN.

Related policies will be proposed to be included in related subsidiary legislation under the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (WSIA) or existing guidelines, the regulator said. However, this matter will be discussed further with water operators, it said.

“Water operators have the right to ascertain the capacity that can be supplied to data centres depending on the ability of the water operators to provide water supply infrastructure and the availability of raw water capacity in the area,” said SPAN.

Major water supply infrastructure projects are being implemented to increase reserve margins.

In Selangor, the Rasau Phase 1 and 2 water treatment plants (WTP), with a combined capacity of 1,400 million litres per day (MLD), along with the Langat 2 Phase 2 WTP (760 MLD), are being developed to enhance the state’s water reserve margins.

In Johor, ongoing projects such as Semangar 3 WTP (200 MLD), Layang 2 Phase 2 WTP (160 MLD), Sedili Besar WTP (600 MLD), and Kayu Ara Pasong WTP (90 MLD) will further reinforce supply resilience, said SPAN.

Particularly in Johor, four new reclaimed water projects are coming online, said SPAN.

The Pelangi Indah Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Johor Bahru, with a 20 MLD capacity, is set to commence operations in 2025.

Additionally, Iskandar Puteri will see three reclaimed water projects beginning operations this year and next year: Puteri Harbour STP and Bukit Indah STP (14 MLD), as well as Serantau Pulai Mutiara STP and Kangkar Pulai STP (18 MLD).

Both STPs are expected to start operational this year.

Meanwhile, the Nusa Perintis STP and Medini STP, with a combined 21 MLD capacity, will be operational by 2026.

In Selangor and Johor, reclaimed water initiatives that will be used to supply to the data centres in those states include a four MLD facility in Kawasan Perindustrian Cemerlang, Johor Bahru, two facilities in Cyberjaya and Sungai Besi with capacities of 10 MLD and nine MLD respectively, and a four MLD plant in Nilai Impian, Negeri Sembilan.

On top of that, subject to the approval of SPAN, Permodalan Darul Ta’zim (PDT) via its subsidiary, Johor Special Water (JSW), has proposed and researched the implementation of alternative water supply sources through water reclamation and desalination, particularly for the industrial sector, power plants and data centres.

To ensure uninterrupted operations, SPAN is also reviewing regulations on internal water storage for data centres. The current guidelines require a minimum one-day storage capacity, but an increase to two days is being recommended, given that supply disruptions due to scheduled maintenance typically take between one and two days for recovery.