Data Center Water Quality Restored
Written by Brett Zeller
Snapshot of Success
Industry: Data Center
Challenge: Elevated iron levels prevented closed-loop water from meeting equipment manufacturer specifications
Solution: Full system repassivation + component chemistry retreatment + upgraded monitoring panels
Results: Iron reduced from ~0.82 ppm to 0.15 ppm and maintained for 10+ months
Why This Success Matters: Data center systems with strict control requirements need the right passivation strategy to avoid warranty risk and long-term corrosion issues
The Risk To Reliability & Equipment Warranty
A data center site required closed-loop water quality to meet strict specifications set by the end user and the equipment manufacturer. However, the existing water treatment provider was unable to bring iron residuals into compliance, even after increasing filtration capacity.
This created a critical risk: failure to meet the manufacturer's water quality standards could jeopardize warranty coverage for equipment worth millions of dollars and potentially delay system turnover.
Data Center Water Treatment Improvements
Before
After
Out-of-Spec Iron
Target <0.2 ppm, actual residual ~0.82 ppm after passivation/treatment
Met Manufacturer Closed Loop Requirements
Reduced iron from ~0.82 ppm to 0.15 ppm
No Improvement Over Time: The system showed minimal progress despite added filtration
Maintained Compliance: Achieved goal targets and treatment stability for 10+ months (and counting)
Warranty Risk: Closed-loop water quality requirements were tied directly to manufacturer warranty terms
Reduced Risk of Warranty Issues: consistent treatment protects high-value CDU equipment
Additional Concerns: Elevated COD and concerns around the existing treatment approach
Corrosion Control: Confidence in both residual tracking and live corrosion probe readings
How We Solved It
Garratt-Callahan was brought in by the end user and their investment team to rapidly stabilize water quality and restore confidence in the closed-loop system performance. We focused on addressing the root cause, rather than relying on filtration alone.
- Confirmed Key Compliance Parameters – Collaborated directly with the equipment manufacturer to identify iron as a critical performance parameter for the CDU and heat exchanger system.
- Full System Repassivation – Performed repassivation using G-C water treatment formulas to reset conditions and improve corrosion control.
- Retreatment Using Component Chemistry – Implemented a comprehensive treatment approach to meet performance needs without adding excess COD.
- Upgraded Monitoring & Control Strategy – Upgraded G-C monitoring panels equipped with pH, conductivity, turbidity, and corrosion sensors.
Applying These Insights to Other Data Center Systems
Getting passivation right from day one is essential—especially when systems must meet strict control parameters and equipment warranty standards.
Following this success, Garratt-Callahan continued working with the end user to establish a scalable framework of parameters and KPIs for use with additional systems at the site and across other facilities. That approach has already expanded into multiple new systems with similarly positive results.
Delivering measurable performance improvements led to an expanded partnership at the site and new requests for water treatment support on projects in other regions.
Take The Next Step
Struggling to meet closed-loop water quality specifications in a critical system? Together we'll:
- Identify the true cause of out-of-spec metals and corrosion indicators
- Ensure compliance with manufacturer performance requirements
- Improve long-term system reliability with proactive monitoring
Get The Water Treatment You Need
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