Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment for Data Centers

HEAVY METALS REMOVAL

TECH DOCS

Catch Basin Filters for Data Centers

Catch basins collect rainwater from parking lots, roads and other paved surfaces. CleanWay catch basin filtration inserts fit inside these drainage structures. They filter the water as it enters the stormwater system.

Catch basin filters can be installed near:

• Employee parking lots
• Delivery and loading areas
• Access roads
• Backup generators
• Fuel tanks
• Equipment yards
• Cooling equipment
• Maintenance areas
• Construction zones

CleanWay catch basin inserts can be made to fit different sizes and types of drains. This makes them a good option for new construction and existing data centers.

Depending on the filter materials used, catch basin filters can help remove trash, sediment, suspended solids, oil, fuel and metals.

Curb Inlet and Drop Inlet Filters

Many data center properties use curb inlets and drop inlets to collect rainwater. Curb inlets are usually placed along roads and parking lots. Drop inlets are often installed in low areas where stormwater collects.

CleanWay offers filters for both types of drainage structures. The filters can be designed around the size of the inlet, the amount of water moving through it and the pollutants that need to be removed.

This gives a data center the ability to treat each area differently. For example, a drain near a generator may need an oil-absorbing filter. A drain near a construction area may need stronger sediment filtration.

Treating each part of the property based on its actual needs can make the entire stormwater system more effective.

Downspout Filters for Large Rooftops

Data centers can have very large rooftops. During a storm, these roofs create a large amount of runoff.

Rooftop water may look clean, but it can still contain pollutants. Water can pick up particles and metals from roofing materials, vents, flashing, HVAC equipment and pollution in the air.

CleanWay downspout filters treat rooftop water before it enters the main stormwater system. The filter material can be selected based on the roofing materials and the pollutants found through water testing.

Downspout filtration may help reduce suspended solids, zinc, copper and other pollutants in rooftop runoff.

Removing Oil and Fuel from Stormwater

Data centers need backup generators so they can continue operating during a power outage. Many facilities also store large amounts of diesel fuel onsite.

Generators, fuel tanks, delivery trucks and maintenance work can create a risk of oil or fuel reaching a nearby storm drain. Even a small leak can spread across the pavement and be washed into the drainage system when it rains.

CleanWay filters can include absorbent materials that capture oil and petroleum hydrocarbons. These materials can be placed inside catch basins, curb inlets and other drainage structures near generators and fuel-storage areas.

CleanWay also offers absorption booms. These booms can be placed around drains, outfalls, sumps and temporary work areas. They can also be kept onsite as part of a spill-response plan.

Filtration should be used along with regular inspections, fuel containment, employee training and a clear spill-response plan.

Removing Heavy Metals with MetalZorb

Heavy metals are another stormwater concern for data centers. Metals may come from rooftops, building materials, vehicles, cooling systems and outdoor equipment.

Zinc and copper are common metals found in stormwater at commercial and industrial facilities.

CleanWay’s MetalZorb® treatment media is made to remove dissolved heavy metals from water. It can be used for stormwater, process water and certain types of wastewater.

MetalZorb can help treat metals such as:

• Zinc
• Copper
• Lead
• Cadmium
• Nickel
• Chromium
• Iron

The correct treatment system depends on the type and amount of metals in the water. It also depends on the water’s chemistry, the flow rate and the facility’s discharge requirements.

Testing the water is an important first step. The results can help determine which filtration materials should be used.

Wastewater Treatment for Data Centers

Stormwater is not the only water issue at a data center. These facilities may also produce wastewater from cooling systems, equipment cleaning and maintenance work.

Possible sources of data center wastewater include:

• Cooling tower blowdown
• Equipment washing
• Floor cleaning
• Filter backwashing
• HVAC maintenance
• Construction dewatering
• Spill cleanup
• Containment-area cleaning

This water may contain sediment, oil, metals or other pollutants. It may need to be treated before it can be discharged, reused or sent to the local wastewater system.

CleanWay filtration products may be used as part of a wastewater pretreatment system. More than one type of filter may be needed. For example, the first filter may capture dirt and sediment. The next stage may remove oil, while another type of media removes dissolved metals.

Every wastewater stream is different. The treatment system should be based on water testing, the amount of water being treated and local discharge rules.

Helping Data Centers Meet Stormwater Requirements

Data centers may need to follow federal, state and local stormwater rules. These can include industrial stormwater permits, construction permits and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements.

A complete stormwater management program may include:

• Inspecting storm drains and equipment
• Collecting stormwater samples
• Cleaning catch basins
• Replacing filtration materials
• Preventing and responding to spills
• Training employees
• Keeping maintenance records
• Fixing problems when they are discovered

CleanWay filtration systems can be used as part of a facility’s best management practices. No filter can guarantee that a facility will meet every regulation, but the correct system can help reduce pollutants and improve water quality.

Solutions for New and Existing Data Centers

CleanWay filtration products can be included in the plans for a new data center. They can also be added to the existing drainage system at an operating facility.

An existing data center may need improved filtration if testing finds high pollutant levels, the campus is expanded, new generators are added or the current stormwater controls are not working well enough.

CleanWay products are adaptable, so they can often be installed without replacing the entire drainage system.

Contact CleanWay Environmental Partners

CleanWay Environmental Partners has helped industrial, commercial and government customers with stormwater filtration since 1989.

CleanWay products include:

• Catch basin filtration inserts
• Curb inlet filters
• Drop inlet filters
• Downspout filtration systems
• Storm Clean® filtration systems
• Oil and hydrocarbon absorbent materials
• Absorption booms
• MetalZorb heavy-metal removal media

Every data center has a different layout and different water-quality concerns. CleanWay can help find a filtration solution based on the facility’s drainage system, pollutants and treatment goals.

Call CleanWay Environmental Partners at 800-723-1373 to discuss stormwater and wastewater filtration for your data center or to request a quote.