Datacenter operators are applying innovations that cut down on resource usage, creating sustainable facilities. We’re focused on dramatically reducing our water usage and integrating systems that use a minimal amount for cooling. When designing data centers for a sustainable future, the goal should be near-zero water consumption. While small amounts of water may still be used for humidification, facility maintenance, and sinks and toilets, these uses account for a fraction of the water consumed by water towers and evaporative cooling.
Traditionally, data centers have focused on Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) to cool facilities, however, we’re seeing Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) become a critically important metric as areas become water-scarce, and data centers shift from power to water utilization to ease the burden of cooling.