Meet the Water Strategy Leaders at Data Centre LIVE

As data centre demand accelerates alongside AI and digital transformation, the industry is confronting a growing constraint: water.

Long treated as a secondary consideration to power, water is now firmly in the spotlight as operators face mounting regulatory scrutiny and increasing environmental expectations.

Cooling is one of the most water-intensive aspects of data centre operations. Yet, with pressure on global water resources intensifying, operators must rethink how facilities are designed and cooled.

The future of digital infrastructure will depend on balancing performance and resilience with smarter, more sustainable water use.

At Data Centre LIVE: The London Summit, the “Water Management Strategies” panel will explore how organisations can optimise water usage across cooling systems and site design.

The session will unpack practical strategies that deliver both environmental and operational gains, from improving water usage effectiveness (WUE) to deploying advanced treatment and monitoring solutions,

John Bychkowski's water quality expertise

John Bychkowski, Senior Corporate Engineer at Chem-Aqua, brings a highly specialised perspective rooted in water treatment and system optimisation.

His work focuses on microbiological control and detection within cooling water systems, which is a critical yet often overlooked component of efficient data centre operations.

Microbial growth can significantly impact system performance, driving inefficiencies and posing operational risks.

John’s expertise lies in identifying and mitigating these challenges through advanced monitoring and treatment strategies that enhance both reliability and sustainability.

Before joining Chem-Aqua, he held senior operational and commercial roles across industrial gas and chemical sectors, including leadership positions at Air Products.

His background gives him a strong understanding of large-scale infrastructure environments where water, energy and operational efficiency intersect.

At the panel, John will bring insight into how better water chemistry management and microbiological control can extend asset life while reducing water waste and supporting more sustainable cooling practices.

How Matt Rutherford drives sustainable cooling innovation

Matt Rutherford, Data Center Business Unit Director EMENA at Evapco Europe, offers more than 25 years of experience in process cooling, focusing on delivering energy- and water-efficient solutions for mission-critical environments.

Matt’s work centres on designing and deploying advanced cooling systems that optimise both power usage effectiveness (PUE) and water usage effectiveness (WUE).

His focus reflects a broader industry shift, moving beyond single-metric optimisation towards integrated strategies that balance energy and performance.

In his current role, Matt leads business development and engineering initiatives across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, helping data centre operators implement cooling systems that meet both operational demands and sustainability targets.

His experience spans HVAC design, system optimisation and strategic deployment of innovative cooling technologies.

Matt will bring a systems-level perspective to the panel, exploring how design choices, technology selection and operational strategy can reduce water consumption without compromising resilience or efficiency.

Join us in London

Join us at Exhibition White City in London on May 20–21 for Data Centre LIVE: The London Summit.

Attendees will gain practical insight from industry experts, hear real-world case studies and connect with peers and key decision-makers shaping the future of data centres.

Secure your ticket now for this unmissable event by clicking here.