By Danial Dzulkifly
CYBERJAYA, Jan 21 — The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has called on other states to adopt Selangor’s Zero Discharge Policy (ZDP) to protect water resources and the environment, especially as Malaysia steps up efforts to attract data centre projects.
The policy is seen as a crucial step to ensure sustainable water use.
In a press conference, SPAN chairman Charles Santiago praised Selangor for its pioneering role in implementing the ZDP, which promotes water recycling and reuse in industries such as data centres, known for their high water and electricity demand.
“Selangor’s efforts to implement the ZDP should serve as a model for other states. This approach ensures efficient water usage while addressing the increasing demand for potable water used to cool data centres,” he said today.
Also present at the press conference were SPAN committee members Syed Mohamed Adnan Mansor Alhabshi and Muhammad Shani Abdullah.
Selangor’s ZDP, supported by its Polluters Pay Principle (PPP), aims to help the state fund more river rejuvenation projects, the Selangor Water Management Authority previously said.
The PPP charges industries based on effluent discharges over regulation limits.
These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enhance water quality management and protect the state’s rivers, which crucially supply raw water to residents.
In his speech, Santiago urged more responsible data centre development to ensure sustainable water use in the industry.
He revealed Selangor has received 27 new data centre applications, while Johor is reviewing another 32 proposals.
These projects, he said, are set to pose significant pressure on water resources.
SPAN projects that data centres in Selangor will require up to 79 million litres of potable water daily by 2032, equivalent to 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Santiago said local councils must withhold approval for data centre projects until sufficient water and electricity provisions are in place.
“We urge local councils not to approve any data centre projects without the capacity to support them. Environmental and noise impact assessments must also be conducted before any development proceeds,” he said.
He called on the industry to transition to alternative water sources, such as recycled water and rainwater harvesting, within three to five years, to ease the burden on potable water supply.
