Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced plans to open Hong Kong's first data center cooled with recycled water. This initiative is in partnership with the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
According to AWS’s official announcement, the new data center will be situated in Hong Kong’s North District. It will utilize recycled water from a government water reclamation plant instead of relying on potable water. The company explained that this initiative was made possible through an agreement in May 2025 with Hong Kong’s Water Supplies Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, and Building Technology Research Institute. Officials from the Hong Kong government said that this project aligns with the city’s strategy of expanding the use of recycled water for non-potable applications, setting a precedent for other industries.
AWS said that once operational, the new system could save enough fresh water to meet the daily needs of about 3,000 Hong Kong residents. The company noted that the cooling system will use tertiary-treated water from the reclamation plant, which will undergo advanced treatment processes to meet operational safety and reliability standards. By implementing this system, AWS is reducing the strain on Hong Kong’s potable water supply, a critical step in a city facing rising concerns over sustainable water management.
According to Amazon’s sustainability report, AWS is pursuing a global commitment to become water positive by 2030, returning more water to communities than it consumes in direct operations. As of the end of 2024, AWS had achieved 53% of this target and already uses recycled water in 24 facilities worldwide. The company added that it plans to quadruple the number of sites using recycled water by 2030, underscoring the significance of the Hong Kong project as part of its long-term sustainability roadmap.
According to Amazon’s official About page, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the cloud computing arm of Amazon.com. Launched in 2006, it provides infrastructure, platform, and AI services to millions of organizations globally. AWS first established its Asia Pacific (Hong Kong) Region in 2019 with three Availability Zones, giving local businesses and governments access to scalable and secure cloud solutions. The new recycled-water data center expands AWS’s operational presence in Hong Kong while also reflecting the company’s global focus on sustainability, renewable energy, and water stewardship.