AirTrunk has partnered with Johor Special Water (JSW), a wholly owned water utility of the Johor State Government, to establish a recycled water supply initiative for its hyperscale data center campuses, JHB1 and JHB2, in Malaysia.
According to the partners, the scheme is the largest of its kind to date in Malaysia. It will see recycled water produced locally from unused wastewater to meet the operational needs of AirTrunk’s data centers in Johor, conserving vital water resources for local communities.
“Integrating recycled water into our data centers allows us to conserve vital potable water resources while reinforcing our commitment to the environment and the local Johor community. Moreover, by working with local contractors, we are fostering economic growth and prioritizing local employment and sourcing,” said Pei Jet Lim, AirTrunk's country head in Malaysia.
The agreement will also include a significant investment in the development of treatment and supply infrastructure in the region.
The recycled water initiative will integrate with the company’s liquid cooling system implemented at its JHB1 data center, which was installed in 2024. The company claims that the approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to the responsible management of Johor’s water resources.
In addition to JSW, AirTrunk has also collaborated with several other local companies to deliver the project.
"This initiative addresses environmental concerns and also brings significant economic benefits to the state. It is a testament to the positive impact that public-private partnerships can have on our community,” Chief Minister of Johor YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi said.
The JHB1 campus was launched in July 2024. The initial phases of JHB1 provide more than 50MW of capacity for its large technology customers. It offers 21,900 sqm (235,750 sq ft) of space across 20 data halls and more than 150MW of capacity at full build-out.
The JHB2 facility was announced in February and will be located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. The facility will be scalable to more than 270MW and will bring the company’s total investment in Malaysia to RM 9.7 billion ($2.2bn).
Last September, Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired AirTrunk for $16.1 billion, the largest-ever deal in the space.
Using reclaimed wastewater to cool data centers has grown in popularity over recent years. Generally, data centers draw water from potable (drinkable) sources. However, due to the need for chemical treatments to prevent bacteria and limescale build-up the water subsequently becomes unsuitable for humans to drink once it leaves the facility.
As a result, data center firms such as Amazon have begun to cool their data centers using reclaimed wastewater (i.e. sewage) that undergoes a three-step treatment process that removes 99 percent of impurities.
Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta have all committed to various water positive goals by 2030, and have all engaged in water reclamation projects as a result.
