AI Water Usage in Data Centers: How Machines Are Cooled and How Much Water They Use
For Metis Consulting Services
Written by Michael Bronfman
This week in The Guard Rail, Metis Consulting Services' thought leadership blog, we're taking a look at a hidden environmental cost of our digital lives. While the pharmaceutical industry meticulously manages every drop of liquid in manufacturing processes, another sector, the data center industry, is gulping down millions of gallons of water a day to keep our modern world digitally running. We'll explore how these massive server farms are cooled and why their water consumption is becoming a significant concern, creating a new kind of "liquid asset" problem that requires a creative and sustainable solution.
The Water and the Reality
Modern life relies on powerful computer systems that store information, process data, and maintain digital services. These large computer facilities are called data centers. Every time someone uses a search engine, streams a video, or stores a photo online, data centers are at work behind the scenes. While most people consider the electricity required to keep these machines running, fewer people think about another resource that data centers consume: water.
Water is used mainly for cooling. Computers generate heat when they operate, and if they become too hot, they may stop working or fail completely. Cooling systems keep machines at the right temperature. In many cases, water plays a central role in this process. As the demand for computing continues to grow rapidly, the amount of water used by data centers is becoming a significant environmental concern.
This essay explains how water is used to cool machines, why water is chosen, how much water is consumed, and what can be done to reduce water use.
Why Cooling Is Needed
Computers generate heat because electrical energy is transformed into thermal energy as circuits work. The more powerful the computer, the more heat the data center releases. Thousands of servers operate simultaneously in a single building. Without cooling, the heat would build up and damage the equipment.
The cooling process maintains a stable temperature, protects equipment, and enables data centers to operate continuously around the clock. Cooling also affects efficiency. A data center that runs too hot requires emergency shutdowns, which wastes electricity and can interrupt services.
How Data Centers Are Cooled
There are various methods to cool data centers, but many of them involve the use of water.
Air Cooling
Some data centers use outside air to reduce heat. They blow cool air through server racks, pushing hot air out. This system works better in cooler climates, but it is less efficient in warm regions.
Chilled Water Cooling
Many data centers use chilled water systems. Large chillers cool water, and then cold water circulates through pipes to absorb heat from the servers. The warmed water goes back to the chillers, where it is cooled again..
Cooling Towers
Cooling towers release heat from water by allowing it to evaporate. Water is sprayed into the air, and as some of it evaporates, the remaining water cools. This cooled water is reused again in the system.
Direct Liquid Cooling
Some advanced systems pump water or special liquids directly to the computer chips. This method reduces the need for massive air systems and can be more efficient, but it still requires a supply of water.
Why Water Is Used
Water is an effective cooling material because it has a high heat capacity. This means it can absorb and carry away large amounts of heat. Water is also widely available and cheaper than many alternatives.
However, water use comes with tradeoffs. Data centers are often located in areas where electricity is cheap, but those same areas may face water shortages. This creates tension between the need for digital infrastructure and the need for water in communities, farming, and natural ecosystems.
How Much Water Is Used
The amount of water used by data centers is substantial, but it can vary depending on the cooling system and the data center's location.
On average, a typical data center may use 300,000 to 500,000 gallons of water per day.
A large data center can use 1 to 5 million gallons of water per day, which is equal to the daily use of a small city.
In the United States, data centers are estimated to use about 1.7 billion liters of water per day.
One way experts measure water use is through the Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) metric. This ratio compares the total water consumed to the amount of computer power delivered. A lower WUE means the data center is more efficient.
Examples from Major Companies
Several large technology companies own and operate massive data centers. Their water use has drawn attention from local governments and communities.
Google
Google has acknowledged that some of its data centers consume millions of gallons of water daily. In some cases, the company has used municipal drinking water supplies, which created tension with nearby residents.
Microsoft
Microsoft has pledged to reduce water use by developing liquid cooling systems and by recycling wastewater. However, reports show that its total water consumption rose by more than one-third in a single year because of new data center construction.
Meta (Facebook)
Meta also relies on water cooling for its servers. In some regions, its water use has sparked debates over the effect on local rivers and aquifers.
These examples show that as demand for digital services grows, water use also increases.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of water use in data centers is complex.
Local Water Shortages
In regions where water is already scarce, data center operations can put a strain on local water supplies. This may affect residents, agriculture, and wildlife.
Energy and Water Link
Water is often tied to energy use. Cooling towers, pumps, and chillers all require electricity to operate. Using more water can also mean using more power.
Wastewater
Water that passes through cooling systems may contain chemicals to prevent corrosion or bacterial growth. If not managed properly, this wastewater can harm ecosystems.
Water Scarcity Concerns
Water scarcity is becoming more severe in many parts of the world. Climate change, population growth, and farming irrigation demands all add stress to freshwater supplies. In this context, the expansion of water-intensive data centers raises difficult questions.
Should clean drinking water be used to cool servers? Can recycled or non-potable water be used as an alternative? What responsibility should companies have to the communities where they operate?
Alternatives to Heavy Water Use
There are several strategies to reduce water consumption in data centers:
Air Cooling in Cool Climates
In northern regions, outside air can be used for cooling for most of the year. This reduces the need for water-based systems.
Recycled or Non-Potable Water
Some companies are beginning to use treated wastewater from cities as an alternative to drinking water. This helps protect clean supplies.
Direct Liquid Cooling with Reuse
Advanced systems that bring cooling liquid directly to computer chips can reuse the same liquid in a closed loop, which reduces evaporation losses.
Renewable Energy and Smart Design
Placing data centers in regions with access to renewable energy and water resources can help mitigate the stress on local communities.
Community Reactions
Local communities have expressed concerns about the water use of data centers. In some towns, residents have protested new construction projects because of the potential drain on water supplies. In other cases, governments have delayed or blocked new data centers until water use agreements are reached.
This tension highlights the importance of transparency. People want to know how much water companies are using and how that use will affect their lives. Without clear communication, mistrust grows.
Balancing Technology and Sustainability
Modern society depends on digital services. However, those services have hidden costs in both energy and water. Balancing the benefits of technology with the need for environmental sustainability is one of the greatest challenges of the coming decades.
Data centers are not the only industries that use large amounts of water; however, they are growing rapidly, and the demand for their services is not slowing down. Companies, governments, and communities must work together to find solutions that allow digital progress without harming the environment.
Water plays a central role in cooling the machines that power the digital world. From search engines to online storage, every service depends on data centers, and those centers often depend on water. A single facility can consume as much water as a small city. This use affects local communities, ecosystems, and future water supplies.
At the same time, there are ways to reduce this impact. Using recycled water, enhancing cooling technology, and locating centers in cooler regions can reduce water demand. Greater transparency and responsibility from companies are also important.
The challenge is clear: we need powerful computing, and also clean water. Finding the right balance will shape not only the future of technology but also the health of communities and the environment.
Ready to transform a hidden cost into a strategic advantage? At Metis Consulting Services, we understand that sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's a critical component of modern business, whether you're managing complex supply chains or the water footprint of your data center. We're here to help you turn environmental challenges into smart, efficient, and profitable solutions. If you're ready to stop putting out fires and start building a more resilient operation, let's chat.
Get in touch with us at hello@metisconsultingservices.com, or drop by our digital HQ at www.metisconsultingservices.com. We'll even bring the water—just for drinking, of course.
