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Data Center Water Use: A Growing Concern in the Age of AI
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The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is fueling a boom in data center construction globally, but this growth comes with a hidden cost: massive water consumption. These facilities require meaningful amounts of water not only for direct cooling processes but also indirectly through the electricity that powers them. As demand for AI continues to climb,the strain on water resources is becoming increasingly critical.
The Thirst of the Digital Age
Data centers employ water in two primary ways. Directly, water is circulated through pipes to cool the servers and routers that generate substantial heat during operation. Indirectly, water is essential for producing the electricity needed to power these facilities, with fossil fuel-based power generation being particularly water-intensive [1].
A 2024 report by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimated that U.S. data centers consumed 17 billion gallons of water directly for cooling in 2023. Projections indicate this figure could reach 34 to 68 billion gallons by 2028 [2].The same report estimated an additional 211 billion gallons were used indirectly through power generation.
Researchers specializing in water law and policy are closely monitoring this trend, particularly in regions like the Great Lakes, where new data center projects are being proposed, including a large-scale facility planned for Port Washington, Wisconsin [3]. The Great Lakes basin, supplying water to over 40 million people and supporting a $6 trillion economy, faces potential strain from these water-intensive operations.
Did You Know? A single data center in Iowa consumed 1 billion gallons of water in 2024 – enough to supply all residential needs in the state for five days.
How Data Centers Utilize Water
the core function of water in data centers is thermal regulation. servers generate significant heat, and cooling systems are vital to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance. Two primary cooling methods are employed:
- Evaporative Cooling: This system pumps water through pipes,absorbing heat and converting it into steam,which
