Malaysia to set strict water rules for data centres as demand grows

Guidelines call for use of alternative sources instead of drinking water for operations

- Zunaira Saieed

Malaysia's main water regulator, the National Water Services Commission (Span), is preparing stringent guidelines for data centres to use alternative sources of water instead of potable drinking water for their operations, amid the growing number of such centres.

The guidelines are expected to be ready by the first half of 2025, and will be mandatory for local water providers as part of the approval process for data centre operators in Peninsular Malaysia.

"We don't want a situation where data centre operators have water and regular Malaysians don't have water at home," Span chairman Charles Santiago told a news conference on Feb 10.

"As such, guidelines will include proportions of alternative water sources that can be used, with a strategic aim to achieve zero per cent reliance on potable water in three years at best," Mr Santiago added.

He said the guidelines are inspired by best practices from countries like Singapore, focusing on the use of alternative water sources to avoid straining water supplies.

These include reclaimed water, rainwater, recycled water and distilled seawater, alongside implementing cooling technologies to reduce water consumption, he said.