ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government plans to review the potential use of groundwater as an alternative water source, particularly to meet the needs of the rapidly growing data centre industry in the state, says state exco member Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh.
He said the proposal had previously been raised in 2025 following an earlier study conducted about five years ago that used older technology, which may no longer be relevant.
Mohamad Fazli, who is state public works, transport, infrastructure and communications committee chairman, said the findings of the study at the time showed that Johor had limited groundwater resources compared to northern states such as Perak and Kedah.
“Perhaps when the earlier study was conducted, the available technology was still limited, which is why Johor appeared to have little to no groundwater. Therefore, there is a proposal for this study to be reviewed using more advanced technology,” he told Bernama.
Previously, the director of the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Campus Sustainability Centre, Prof Dr Mohd Fadhil Md Din, suggested that data centre companies planning to develop facilities in Johor should explore the potential of groundwater to reduce pressure on the public water supply system.
