Many of us may not realize this, but data centers, including cloud storage facilities, often use vast amounts of water. And because they use such large volumes of water, their water utility bills have escalated, resulting in increased charges they frequently must pass on to corporate customers.

But you might wonder, why would data and cloud storage facilities use so much water? After all, they operate almost entirely on electricity.

The answer is simple: the operation of these storage facilities generates considerable amounts of heat. Too hot, and the systems can break down, potentially resulting in data loss or making the centers inoperable or unreliable.

To prevent this from happening, air cooling technologies called “chillers” operate 24/7 in these facilities. They are designed to keep temperatures at or below 70 degrees (F). If temperatures inch above this threshold, it opens the door to equipment failure.

But this still does not tell us why so much water is used in these data storage facilities. The answer to that question is simple as well. These chillers use water to cool the air.  The water used evaporates quickly, which must be replenished by drawing more and more water.

With that understood, how are these data centers, which are now found in areas of the world that are water rich as well as those facing drought and water scarcity, reducing water consumption? They are taking the following steps:  

Measuring and monitoring. Before taking any steps, data centers are installing separate meters on their chillers.  This way they know more precisely how much water these systems are using. In some cases, water consumption is less than anticipated, not requiring any steps to be implemented. However, in many cases, the measuring and monitoring indicate water-reducing strategies are needed.

Investment plans. The measuring and monitoring often indicate that steps to reduce water consumption are necessary. To address this, administrators are creating investment plans to determine what steps can be taken quickly — and inexpensively — to reduce consumption, and which ones will cost more money and take more time, and what steps are long-term but will require considerable funding.

Cold outside air: In colder climates and during the winter months, cold outside air is being pumped into the facilities. You might think using cold outside air just makes common sense; why haven’t they already been doing this? The issue is that many data centers are designed to prevent any outside air from coming into the facility. They are zipped-up environments. However, allowing more cold air in reduces cooling needs, reducing water consumption and electricity needs.

Non-potable water. Most cooling systems draw their water from utility companies’ water delivered to the facility, as we mentioned earlier. This is treated — potable — water, which can be consumed. Many centers are now transferring to non-potable or recycled water. The problem here is that not all utility companies are designed to provide non-potable water to their customers. So, some data centers are installing large water storage tanks that collect rainwater. This untreated water can be used both for the air-cooling systems and for irrigation if there are excess amounts.

Replacing chillers. Replacing old chillers can be costly. Chillers are designed to last from 15 to 25 years. If reducing water consumption, a key prerogative, once a system is older than 15 years, replacement should be considered.

And speaking of alternatives, some data centers are looking into other ways to reduce water consumption. For instance, transferring to high-efficiency restroom fixtures.  This includes restroom fixtures that use no water at all, such as waterless urinals, can make a significant dent in water consumption. While they may not alleviate all the water consumption issues of data and cloud storage centers, waterless urinals are saving millions of gallons of water every day in this country.

Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, Vista, Calif.  Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal of establishing a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter, discussing water conservation issues.  He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com.