Most data centers currently rely on chemical-based water treatment for cooling towers, using biocides, scale inhibitors, and pH adjusters to manage scaling, corrosion, and biofouling. While these methods can be effective in the short term, they come with significant environmental and operational drawbacks. Frequent chemical dosing leads to high volumes of blowdown water containing residual chemicals, increasing water waste and discharge-related environmental risks. Operationally, these systems require constant monitoring, manual handling of hazardous substances, and regular maintenance—all of which increase labor costs, pose health risks to facility staff, and reduce overall efficiency.

The presence of scaling reduces heat transfer efficiency, forcing chillers and pumps to work harder and consume more energy. Corrosion can damage pipes and heat exchangers, leading to costly repairs, unplanned downtime, and asset degradation. Biofilms, formed by microbial growth, not only impede heat exchange but also breed pathogens, creating potential health hazards and compromising system hygiene. Together, these issues drive up operating expenses, shorten equipment lifespan, and negatively impact Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE), making chemical treatment a costly and unsustainable long-term strategy.