Introduction
The rapid expansion of data centers, fueled by the AI revolution, has thrust water consumption into the spotlight as a critical environmental issue. Major tech companies are building facilities in drought-prone regions across the globe, from the American Southwest to arid parts of Europe and beyond. According to recent investigations, these centers consume vast amounts of water for cooling, often in areas already facing severe shortages [1]. This overview draws from exhaustive research, including key figures on usage and expert analyses, to explore the scale of the problem, its implications, and potential paths forward. By integrating factual data with diverse perspectives, this article aims to provide a balanced examination of an issue at the intersection of technology, ethics, and resource management.
The Scale of Water Consumption
Data centers’ thirst is staggering, with cooling systems evaporating millions of liters daily. Google’s facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, alone used 1 billion gallons (3.8 billion liters) of water in 2024, the highest among its global sites [2]. Globally, Google consumed 6.4 billion gallons (24.2 billion liters) in 2023, with 95% attributed to data centers [2]. Meta followed suit, using 813 million gallons (3.1 billion liters) that year, also predominantly for data operations [2]. A single 1-megawatt data center can require up to 25.5 million liters annually, matching the daily water needs of 300,000 people [3].
In drought-hit areas, the impact intensifies. Amazon’s largest European data center in Aragon, Spain, spans 190 hectares and uses 500 million liters (132 million gallons) of drinking water yearly for cooling, amid calls for moratoriums due to local water stress [3]. The company sought a 48% increase in water permits there in 2024 [3]. Microsoft reported a 34% rise in water use from 2022 to 2023, with 42% sourced from stressed regions [1][2]. Projections indicate a 170% increase in overall data center water demand by 2030, driven by AI expansion [1][5]. These figures, from studies like those by EthicalGeo and Smithsonian Magazine, highlight how indirect uses—like water for power generation—amplify the footprint [3][5].
Geographic and Ethical Challenges
Expansions in water-scarce zones, such as Arizona, Nebraska, and Wyoming in the US, or arid parts of Spain, are drawing scrutiny. A 2025 Guardian investigation revealed Amazon, Google, and Microsoft building in the driest areas across five continents, often prioritizing cheap land over water availability [G1]. In Arizona, facilities clash with communities preserving water amid droughts [G4]. Experts note that 40% of major data centers are in high-stress regions, with 20% of US centers relying on vulnerable watersheds [G6].
Ethically, internal Amazon critiques labeled such plans “not ethical,” per a SourceMaterial report, emphasizing community resource strain [1][G3]. Social media discussions echo this, with users decrying “water colonialism” where tech extracts from vulnerable areas [G16][G18]. However, companies defend their actions: Google asserts scarcity-informed planning, while Amazon joined a 2025 coalition to reduce AI data center water use through collaboration with utilities [G8]. Microsoft declined comments but reported efforts in stressed areas. This balance reveals a tension—growth drives economic benefits, yet risks exacerbating inequities.
Emerging Trends and AI’s Role
AI is a key driver, with Morgan Stanley forecasting an 11-fold rise in global data center water use to 1,068 billion liters by 2028 [G11][G14]. Posts on social media highlight how each AI query can indirectly consume 0.5 liters for cooling, projecting up to 1.7 trillion gallons worldwide by 2027 [G15][G17]. Trends show shifts to water-rich areas like the Great Lakes, but reports warn of potential shortages there too [G13].
Expert insights point to a “resource rebound effect”: AI’s efficiencies in water management are offset by infrastructure demands. In Texas, Microsoft’s centers drain millions of gallons daily during droughts, rivaling city usage [G20]. Yet, positive trends emerge, like regional pivots and political pushes for tech growth, though often without water safeguards.
Solutions and Innovations
Constructive perspectives focus on mitigation. Air-cooled systems drastically cut usage; Google’s Pflugerville, Texas center uses just 10,000 gallons annually versus millions in water-cooled ones [2]. Direct evaporative cooling optimizes efficiency, while water reuse and recycling are gaining traction, though not yet widespread [1][3]. Immersion cooling with non-water fluids could reduce needs by 90%.
Companies are exploring AI-driven solutions for scarcity, like optimizing global water use [G8]. Policy ideas include “water equity audits” for site planning and tax incentives for low-water designs. Reports emphasize recycled water in dry areas to conserve potable sources [4]. Balanced views from social media advocate accountability, with calls for transparency and innovation to align tech with sustainability [G19].
1. KEY FIGURES:
- Google’s data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, consumed 1 billion gallons (3.8 billion liters) of water in 2024, the highest among its facilities worldwide{2}.
- In 2023, Google’s global operations used 6.4 billion gallons (24.2 billion liters) of water, with 95% consumed by data centers{2}.
- Meta consumed 813 million gallons (3.1 billion liters) of water globally in 2023, with 95% used by data centers{2}.
- A 1-megawatt data center can use up to 25.5 million liters of water annually for cooling, equivalent to the daily water use of about 300,000 people{3}.
- Amazon requested a 48% increase in water consumption permits in 2024 for its three data centers in Aragon, Spain, an area facing drought{3}.
- Microsoft reported 42% of its water use came from water-stressed regions in 2023, with a 34% rise in water consumption from the previous year{1}{2}.
- The largest data center in Europe (Amazon, Aragon) covers 190 hectares and uses 500 million liters (132 million gallons) of drinking water annually for cooling{3}.
- Data center water use is projected to increase by 170% by 2030 due to AI and digital infrastructure expansion{1}{5}.
2. RECENT NEWS:
- April 9, 2025: Investigation by SourceMaterial and The Guardian revealed Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are expanding water-intensive data centers in some of the world’s driest regions, including the US and Europe, sparking ethical concerns about water scarcity{1}.
- September 5, 2025: Reports showed Google’s data centers consume billions of gallons annually, with stark contrasts in water use between water-cooled and air-cooled facilities{2}.
- December 2024: Amazon applied for a significant water usage increase in Aragon, Spain, amid ongoing drought and local calls for moratoriums on new data centers due to water stress{3}.
- 2024-2025: Microsoft declined to comment on water use concerns, while Amazon and Google defended their water use, asserting they consider scarcity in planning, despite internal criticism{1}.
3. STUDIES AND REPORTS:
- SourceMaterial / The Guardian (2025): Ethical concerns highlighted about locating data centers in water-stressed areas, with internal opposition within Amazon labeling water use plans as “not ethical.” The report stresses the challenge for local communities facing resource resilience issues{1}.
- EthicalGeo / Bass et al. (2025): Analysis of Amazon’s Aragon data centers quantifies water consumption and stresses the indirect water use is likely higher than official figures. It links climate change impacts with increased cooling water demand{3}.
- EESI (2024): Medium-sized data centers can consume up to 110 million gallons of water annually, comparable to the annual water use of a small city, emphasizing the scale of water demand for cooling{4}.
- Smithsonian Magazine (2025): Projected 170% increase in data center water use by 2030 due to AI growth, underscoring the environmental and economic costs outpacing mitigation efforts{5}.
4. TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS:
- Increasing adoption of air-cooled data centers significantly reduces water consumption compared to traditional evaporative cooling; e.g., Google’s Pflugerville, Texas center uses only ~10,000 gallons annually versus millions in water-cooled centers{2}.
- Development of direct evaporative cooling systems optimized to reduce water use but still consume millions of liters annually for large centers{3}.
- Emerging initiatives towards water reuse and recycling in data center cooling are being explored but are not yet widespread or sufficient to offset total demand in water-stressed regions{1}{3}.
5. MAIN SOURCES:
- https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/amazon-google-microsoft-allegedly-operating-and-expanding-water-intensive-datacentres-in-some-of-the-worlds-driest-region/ – Investigation on tech companies’ data centers water use in dry regions and ethical concerns
- https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2025/09/05/data-center-water-consumption-google-meta-amazon-microsoft-digital-realty-equinix-cooling-system/ – Detailed water consumption data and comparison of cooling technologies in major tech data centers
- https://ethicalgeo.org/the-cloud-is-drying-our-rivers-water-usage-of-ai-data-centers/ – Case study on Amazon’s data centers in Aragon, Spain, water permits increase, and local drought conditions
- https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-and-water-consumption – Overview of water use levels in data centers and environmental impact
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/with-ai-on-the-rise-what-will-be-the-environmental-impacts-of-data-centers-180987379/ – Projection of AI-driven increase in data center water consumption and environmental costs
This synthesis highlights that Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are significantly increasing water-intensive data centers in some of the most drought-prone areas worldwide, raising urgent questions about water ethics, community resource stress, and the sustainability of digital infrastructure growth. Technological shifts like air cooling offer some mitigation, but overall water demand is surging with AI expansion, and policy responses remain limited.
Propaganda Risk Analysis
Score: 4/10 (Confidence: medium)
Key Findings
Corporate Interests Identified
The article criticizes unnamed ‘tech giants’ (implied to include companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta based on similar reporting), which could benefit companies if the piece is part of a counter-narrative to greenwashing efforts. Web searches show these companies have faced accusations of downplaying water usage through sustainability reports, but the article itself seems to oppose corporate interests rather than promote them. No direct conflicts of interest identified in the snippet, but the reference to ‘SourceMaterial report’ suggests reliance on investigative journalism potentially funded by non-profits.
Missing Perspectives
The snippet excludes voices from the tech industry defending data center practices, such as claims of water recycling or efficiency improvements (e.g., Microsoft’s reported use of evaporative cooling). It also omits perspectives from local governments or economists who argue economic benefits outweigh environmental costs, focusing only on community strain and X user complaints.
Claims Requiring Verification
The key quote references a ‘SourceMaterial report’ on community resource strain but provides no specific statistics or verification in the snippet. Web searches confirm similar reports (e.g., from The Guardian and Business Insider) with data like data centers using millions of gallons daily in stressed areas, but the article’s vague ‘[1][G3]’ citation and incomplete quote raise doubts about sourcing integrity. No dubious stats explicitly noted, but the emphasis on ‘X discussions echoing’ could amplify unverified social media anecdotes.
Social Media Analysis
X/Twitter posts on tech giants’ data centers and water usage in drought-prone regions show significant public concern, with high-engagement content from users discussing specific cases like Meta’s impact in Georgia causing local water issues and Microsoft’s consumption in Texas amid droughts. Posts often cite news sources and express frustration over priorities (e.g., corporate water use vs. resident restrictions), but they are scattered across independent accounts without signs of centralized coordination or paid influence. Sentiment is predominantly critical, with view counts in the tens to hundreds of thousands, indicating organic viral spread rather than manufactured campaigns.
Warning Signs
- Language emphasizes negative impacts (‘draining water’) without balancing with potential mitigations or corporate responses, sounding alarmist rather than objective.
- Incomplete sourcing: The quote cuts off abruptly and relies on vague references to reports and X discussions, potentially cherry-picking critical views.
- Absence of independent expert opinions: No quotes from hydrologists, environmental scientists, or neutral analysts; focuses on community and social media decrying.
- Potential for sensationalism: Title (‘Thirsty Cloud’) uses emotive phrasing that could mimic advocacy campaigns rather than neutral journalism.
Reader Guidance
Analysis performed using: Grok real-time X/Twitter analysis with propaganda detection
Other references :
business-humanrights.org – Amazon, Google, & Microsoft allegedly operating and expanding …
theinvadingsea.com – Data centers consume massive amounts of water – | The Invading Sea
ethicalgeo.org – The Cloud is Drying our Rivers: Water Usage of AI Data Centers
eesi.org – Data Centers and Water Consumption | Article | EESI
smithsonianmag.com – A.I. Is on the Rise, and So Is the Environmental Impact of the Data …
theguardian.com – Source
businessinsider.com – Source
source-material.org – Source
washingtonpost.com – Source
business-humanrights.org – Source
npr.org – Source
utulsa.edu – Source
computerweekly.com – Source
freepress.net – Source
civilbeat.org – Source
livemint.com – Source
finance-commerce.com – Source
qconline.com – Source
telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com – Source
x.com – Source
x.com – Source
x.com – Source
x.com – Source
x.com – Source
x.com – Source
