JOHOR is expanding its water treatment capabilities to achieve self-sufficiency in line with the rapid growth of data centres, industries and domestic demand.
State works, transportation, infrastructure and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said for data centres, water efficiency was set at 1.8 litres per kilowatt of electricity consumption per central processing unit (CPU), to ensure better water management.
“In addition, data centre developers are encouraged to adopt new eco-friendly technologies, including wastewater treatment, groundwater use and modern cooling systems such as air and closed cooling.
“These systems can save water usage and allow recycling up to six times, instead of discharging directly into rivers,” he said after visiting the Semangar Water Treatment Plant in Kota Tinggi.
Mohamad Fazli said Johor was the only state with a technical committee to evaluate data centres and advise developers on technology adoption.
“Our concern is not just about water and electricity usage but also ensuring data centres follow recommendations made by the state government.”
He said Johor was also working with Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry to monitor raw and treated water projects.
Among the projects are three approved riverbank water storage schemes: Sungai Johor (to begin in June 2026), Sungai Pontian (December 2026) and Sungai Sedili (2027), all expected to be completed by 2030.
“These will be supported by the Semangar 3, Kayu Ara Pasong Phase 1 and Sungai Sedili Besar water treatment plants,” said Mohamad Fazli.
In an earlier report, Johor Parti Amanah Negara deputy chairman Dzulkefly Ahmad had said that the state might face a water crisis by 2030 or earlier if four key issues were not addressed.
He said this included delays in completing the three riverbank storage projects and three treatment plants by 2030, as well as the approval of too many data centres which could surpass treated water capacity.
He also cited issues such as lack of new technology adoption and frequent scheduled or unscheduled water disruptions.
