Water Recycling for Data Centers - Cooling Water Treatment and Reuse
The growing demand for data centers worldwide is accompanied by rising water consumption for cooling - particularly in regions with limited water resources such as India. To secure the sustainable operation of modern data centers, the treatment and reuse of cooling water is becoming increasingly important. Bosch Manufacturing Solutions | BMG supports operators with compact water treatment systems based on mechanical vapor recompression (MVR): recycling cooling water blowdown and RO reject on site, cutting freshwater consumption and wastewater generation while lowering operating costs and helping companies achieve their water stewardship goals.
Reference installation: Bengaluru, India - Cooling loop
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Blowdown water from an open cooling loop
Airborne dust and contaminants progressively concentrate in the circuit 2,500 µS/cm (≈ 1,250 ppm TDS) |
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Capacity
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Blowdown water from an open cooling loop Airborne dust and contaminants progressively concentrate in the circuit 2,500 µS/cm (≈ 1,250 ppm TDS)
1.3 m³/h feed
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Measurements
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Blowdown water from an open cooling loop Airborne dust and contaminants progressively concentrate in the circuit 2,500 µS/cm (≈ 1,250 ppm TDS)
Condensate ≈ 5 ppm TDS
Power consumption ≈ 30 kWh/m³ |
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Location
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Blowdown water from an open cooling loop Airborne dust and contaminants progressively concentrate in the circuit 2,500 µS/cm (≈ 1,250 ppm TDS)
Urban site
High inlet TDS |
Building water resilience for data centers
Our solution supports the long-term operation of data centers in the face of increasing water stress and evolving environmental regulations. By reducing dependence on freshwater and enabling efficient water reuse, it strengthens water resilience while helping to meet increasingly stringent wastewater requirements and secure long-term operating permits. At the same time, it reduces operational risks related to water scarcity, wastewater disposal and water-related technical constraints - combining operational reliability with responsible and efficient use of resources.
Turning water recovery into operational advantage
RO + MVCD from single source
An integrated RO and MVCD solution from a single source simplifies system integration, interfaces and overall project execution.
Up to 95 % water recovery
Up to 95% of the water can be recovered and returned to the process, significantly increasing overall water efficiency.
Lower freshwater demand
Efficient water reuse reduces the need for freshwater and lowers dependence on local water resources.
Reduced blowdown disposal
By recovering water from blowdown streams, the volume of wastewater requiring disposal is significantly reduced.
Higher operational availability
A more resilient water supply helps maintain reliable cooling operation, even under increasing water constraints.
Lower TCO of future-ready water management
Reduced water and disposal requirements can lower total cost of ownership while supporting sustainable, future-ready water management.
Frequently asked questions
Can cooling tower blowdown be reused in a data center?
Yes. MVR evaporation recovers up to 90 % of blowdown as clean, low-conductivity distillate that can be returned as make-up water - our Bengaluru reference does exactly this on a live open cooling loop.
How much energy does the recovery take?
Below 35 kWh per m³ of purified water. The Bengaluru unit measures about 30 kWh/m³ in operation.
Does the system need steam or chemicals?
No external steam or fuel - electricity only. Many applications run with little or no continuous chemical dosing. The consumables concept is defined per application, based on water analysis.
Who installs and services the system in India?
Commissioning and service are handled by the Bosch team in Bengaluru. The compressor is manufactured and serviced by PILLER in Pune, so spares are local.
