How is wastewater managed?

Data centers manage two types of wastewater through regulated systems designed to protect public health and the environment. The first is domestic wastewater from restrooms and sinks, which is routed to the local sewer system. The second is cooling water used to regulate equipment temperatures. Because this water does not come into contact with computer electronics, it does not contain manufacturing byproducts or industrial hazardous waste. The handling and discharge of cooling water are governed by local, state, and federal environmental regulations.

Data centers typically manage cooling water through one of three approaches:

Discharge to the municipal sewer system: Before discharge, the water may be treated onsite to remove excess minerals and adjust pH levels to meet local permit requirements and protect municipal treatment infrastructure.

Onsite treatment and reuse: Some facilities use advanced filtration technologies, including reverse osmosis systems, to treat water for reuse within the facility, reducing overall water consumption.

Beneficial reuse: Treated water may be used for landscape irrigation or agricultural purposes where permitted, extending the value of the resource while meeting environmental standards.

As illustrated above, many modern data centers are designed to maximize water efficiency through a continuous water management cycle. Water is used to support cooling operations, with a portion lost through evaporation as water vapor. The remaining water can be directed to engineered onsite systems for beneficial reuse or managed infiltration, depending on site design and regulatory requirements. These approaches help conserve water resources, support environmental stewardship, and minimize impacts on local water systems.