Data Center Sustainability for the 21st Century
The path to creating cost-effective, energy efficient, environmentally responsible data centers isn’t an easy one, but Pace® can help. Our data center services support clients throughout the life cycle of their business, from site assessment and remediation support to every aspect of environmental testing – indoors and out. We are the largest American-owned laboratory network with testing facilities and service centers conveniently located across the country. By employing state-of-the-art technology and methodologies, we deliver accurate, reliable, and timely data, enabling our clients to make informed decisions about environmental stewardship and operational efficiency. Our commitment to excellence and customer service has made us a trusted partner for more than 40 years.
Success Through Partnership
Data center operations often demand contributions from experts in various fields. Pace® helps ensure project success through partnerships with many types of organizations and roles. Our commitment to meeting our obligations ensures you have the data you need to meet yours.
Data Center Operations Management
Integrated Facility Management Organizations
Water Treatment Professionals
Environmental Engineers & Architects
Engineering & Construction Firms
Data Center Development Organizations
Industrial Hygiene Professionals
Pace® Risk Assurance Water Testing
As data center cooling systems grow in scale and complexity, staying ahead of changing system conditions becomes more challenging. Pace® Risk Assurance Water Testing builds on standard cooling-system testing with broader protocols that provide earlier visibility into changing conditions, emerging risks, and performance trends, enabling more proactive management of data center cooling assets.
Legionella in Data Center Water Systems
Dangerous waterborne pathogens, such as Legionella, the bacterium responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, can thrive in data center water systems, including cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and hot water loops. Of these, evaporative cooling systems, particularly cooling towers, carry the greatest documented risk. If contaminated water becomes aerosolized, the bacteria can be inhaled, leading to severe and sometimes life-threatening respiratory infections. Learn More.
The original outbreak of Legionnaires' disease occurred in 1976 during an American Legion convention at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. While less was known about Legionella testing back then, investigations suggest that the bacteria originated in the cooling tower of the hotel's air conditioning system. More recently, one of the deadliest outbreaks of Legionnaire’s disease in the U.S. was tied back to a cooling tower in the South Bronx.
Learn More about Legionella in Cooling Towers in our Info Sheet
New York now requires testing of cooling towers for Legionella. More recently, New Jersey passed sweeping legislation requiring owners and operators of specific buildings, facilities, and public water systems to develop water management plans to prevent and control Legionella infections. With thousands of Legionellosis cases reported every year in the U.S., other states have enacted or are considering comparable regulations.
OSHA and the CDC have established guidelines for preventing Legionella in cooling towers. The CDC’s comprehensive guidance on Legionella control in cooling towers includes recommended water parameters, control measures, and maintenance practices to mitigate the risk of Legionella growth and dissemination. OSHA’s guidelines on controlling and preventing Legionellosis in the workplace include recommendations for the maintenance of cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and fluid coolers. Water Management Planning is a critical element of preventing Legionella in data center water systems.
Legionella Outbreak Response Services
Our expert Legionella outbreak response team is available 24/7. We can help you quickly determine if Legionella is present in your water systems, create a remediation strategy, and even work with you on your communications to the public.
Data Center Site Selection
Brownfield sites offer compelling advantages for data center development, but they also require environmental due diligence. Pace® supports site assessments with reliable testing for biological and chemical contamination.
Data Center Environmental Compliance Services
Data centers are not known for endangering public health or being heavy polluters of the natural environment. However, there are a few regulations that may apply.
Even when not mandated by law, some data centers voluntarily analyze wastewater discharge for environmental pollutants to ensure safety and build public trust. Common contaminants can include glycol and other refrigerants, metals, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and anti-scalants.
Many data centers maintain backup generators to ensure continuity of service in the event of a power outage. Diesel fuel is the most common type of fuel used due to its efficiency, reliability, safety, and ease of storage. However, if the data center stores fuel underground, Underground Storage Tank (UST) monitoring rules may apply.
If the data center is owned or operated by the General Services Administration (GSA), they must comply with GSA Public Buildings Service (PBS) Order 1000.7A. This regulation establishes national requirements for effectively managing and overseeing drinking water quality within GSA-managed properties. Requirements include regular testing of drinking water for Legionella, lead and copper, and total coliforms. GSA properties are also required to develop and maintain a comprehensive water management plan.
Additional Resources
Webinar: Introduction to Legionella Testing & Regulations
Webinar: Asbestos in Settled Dust
ESG COMMITMENT
As People Advancing Science®, we are proud to meet or exceed state and federal laws governing waste management and actively work to minimize our environmental footprint wherever possible.
Reducing
Solvent usage and emissions
Waste and solvent disposal
Glass/container disposal
Shipping weight requirements
- Online Education
- Lab Energy Audits
- Reusable Coolers
- Online Reporting
- Courier Optimization
- Solvent Recycling
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
We honor our commitments so you can honor yours™. We
promise to deliver a level of quality that meets your data
quality objectives — supported by personal service, ethical
standards, data transparency, and the highest level of support
possible. People Advancing Science. This is the foundation of the Pace® Promise.
- RELIABLE DELIVERY
- COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
- EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE