With the rapid expansion of AI technologies, water consumption in data centers has significantly increased, raising serious environmental and drought concerns.
Increasing Water Consumption
According to a Financial Times report, the water consumption rate in Virginia, the state with the most data centers in the US, has increased by almost two-thirds since 2019. In 2023, data centers in Virginia consumed 7 billion liters of water, almost double the 4.278 billion liters consumed in 2019. This surge is attributable to the growing demand for AI computing power, with companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon utilizing data centers in the state. According to Dgtl Infra estimates, US data centers as a whole consumed about 284 billion liters of water in 2023. These facilities need water for hydropower and to cool the high-capacity computing machines that emit significant heat.
Plans to Build New Data Centers
Despite current issues with energy and water consumption, major tech companies are continuing to build new data centers, intensifying the race for AI supremacy. Microsoft and Amazon have invested billions in purchasing land and constructing new facilities. The Elon Musk-owned startup xAI plans to create the world's most powerful supercomputer, which has already raised community concerns about future resource consumption. With more data centers likely to emerge, there are rising questions about their sustainability. Some of these facilities are located in areas with scarce water resources. In 2023, Microsoft reported that 42% of its water consumption came from areas with water stress, while Google reported 15%.
Measures to Reduce Water Usage
Some experts believe that the risks associated with increasing water consumption are exaggerated. Michael Lesniak, an industrial water executive, noted that most data centers in Louden County, Virginia, use recycled sewage water that would have otherwise been discharged into the Chesapeake Bay. Companies building new data centers are also working on reducing water usage by employing zero-water cooling technologies.
Water consumption in data centers continues to pose serious environmental problems. However, the implementation of modern technologies and the use of recycled resources can mitigate the negative impact on the environment.
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