World Water Day: how data centers can save resources

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year, is an opportunity to focus on the sixth United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal: to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

For NTT’s Global Data Centers, this sustainability factor is as important to us as our commitment to net-zero emissions across our operations by 2030.

The biggest potential use for water in data centers is in evaporative cooling systems. Water improves the efficiency of these systems by reducing the electricity needed to run compressors in chillers, thereby also lowering the associated carbon emissions.

However, as the world warms and weather patterns change – with a higher risk of droughts and water shortages while we decarbonize our electricity supplies – the balance between the environmental impacts of water and electricity is also shifting. So, we are constantly looking to adapt, too.

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Running dry to save precious water

For our new data center projects, our global standard design (GDS) includes “dry” cooling systems by default. The water in these systems isn’t evaporated but stays in a closed loop. We’ll still consider “wet” systems, but only after detailed studies have been conducted on the sustainability of water supplies and the benefits of energy savings compared with increased water use.

Where we do install wet systems, we also consider hybrid solutions – that is, systems that can run dry during the colder months of the year. This greatly reduces our annual water use while still allowing us to cut back on our electricity use in the summer months. The expansion of our London 1 Data Center, for example, is set to include hybrid coolers.

For existing sites that use evaporative systems, we will undertake a detailed performance review of their water usage efficiency this year. We will ensure these systems are operating as efficiently as possible while we plan upgrades and improvements.

This process has already started at our Hemel Hempstead 3 site, where we will install a reverse-osmosis plant to help reduce water usage. This will also extend the life of the cooling equipment, delaying the need for replacement and thereby limiting the embodied carbon levels associated with the production, transportation and disposal of that equipment.

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Small changes go a long way

Apart from the cooling systems, the designs for our new sites will include managing stormwater flows from the site so we don’t place additional stress on local infrastructure, landscaping designs that avoid the need for irrigation and, where practical, capturing and reusing rainwater on-site.

And, finally, we will work with our employees, clients and partners to look at the small things we do with water that add up to big wastage. When the water tanks at our Johannesburg 1 Data Center had to be emptied, for example, we drained the water into temporary tanks for reuse instead of pouring it down the drain.

Small behavioral changes can have a big impact even in our personal lives. Do you leave the tap running when you brush your teeth? Does the toilet need to be flushed more than once? How long does your morning shower really need to be?

At NTT, we’re constantly thinking about how we can do better. We welcome your input and suggestions on this important issue.