Johor Weighs Treating Surplus Water from Data Centre Operations for Public Supply

The Johor state government is exploring a plan to further treat surplus water from data centre-operated treatment plants and channel it to public consumption, as the Malaysian state grapples with balancing rapid digital infrastructure growth against pressure on its water resources. The proposal signals a potential new model in which hyperscale data centre operators not only reduce their draw on municipal supplies but also contribute treated water back to the community.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Phase Two extension of the DayOne Kempas Tech Park Water Treatment Plant in Johor Baru on Thursday, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state is examining ways to leverage technology and industry collaboration to improve water supply and ensure sustainable resource management. He noted that DayOne draws polluted water from Sungai Tebrau, treats it and uses it for its operations instead of relying on treated water intended for the public. The river carries a flow of about 80 million litres per day, while DayOne consumes a maximum of roughly 10 million litres per day, leaving a substantial surplus that could potentially be supplied to the public after an additional treatment process.

Onn Hafiz said he has called for a technical meeting as soon as possible to assess the feasibility of the proposal. He also welcomed DayOne's adoption of a closed-loop cooling system, which recirculates water within its operations and improves efficiency. The Menteri Besar said the facility reflects the importance of developing sustainable infrastructure to support Johor's growing investment landscape, adding that by investing in its own water treatment infrastructure, DayOne is taking a proactive approach to meeting its operational requirements while reducing its reliance on the existing treated water supply network.

The initiative underscores a broader shift in Southeast Asia's data centre boom, where operators are increasingly expected to demonstrate water stewardship alongside energy efficiency. If adopted, Johor's surplus-water proposal could offer a template for other fast-growing markets seeking to reconcile large-scale digital investment with scarce natural resources.