Data Center — Cooling Tower Water Management and Permitting
Client
Confidential Data Center, Irvine, California
Services Provided
Technical and Permit Analysis; Agency Negotiations; Strategy Development; Obtain Permit Waiver
Location
Irvine, California
Project Practice Areas
Water and Natural Resources
Type of Facility
Data Center
Project Specifics
A confidential client owns and operates a data center facility in Irvine, California, that includes onsite cooling towers to manage the temperature conditions in the building. The cooling towers use makeup water to manage the quality of the process water and optimize system operations. The facility is engineered and permitted to receive both potable and recycled water from the local water district, Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD).
IRWD rules and regulations mandate the use of recycled water when feasible. However, our analysis has shown that, due to its characteristics, the use of IRWD’s recycled water reduces the efficiency and longevity of the cooling towers or would require significant pretreatment.
Geosyntec Scope of Services
Geosyntec’s scope of services included conducting technical and permit analysis and developing a strategy to negotiate a permit waiver from IRWD. Geosyntec performed a detailed cost-benefit analysis under three scenarios for the cooling towers operation, including using recycled water as a source of makeup water, using potable water for makeup water, and pretreating the recycled water and then using it as makeup water. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of facility expansion and rate changes or increases by IRWD. In collaboration with the client, Geosyntec conducted a series of meetings with IRWD and presented the rationale that the use of recycled water as a source of makeup water is not feasible for the facility. The IRWD Board found these justifications viable and granted a waiver for the facility, allowing the client to use potable water as the primary source and maintain the option of using recycled water as a backup source of makeup water.
Notable Accomplishments
Through the detailed analysis of technical information and a well-planned and executed negotiation strategy with IRWD, Geosyntec supported the client in obtaining a permit waiver from IRWD to use potable water as the primary source and maintain the option of using recycled water as a backup source of makeup water. This waiver reduces the annual operational cost for the client. In the waiver letter, IRWD thanked the client and Geosyntec for their diligent efforts in the process.
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