Aragon, a semi-arid region in northeastern Spain, exemplifies the growing tension between Big Tech’s expansion and local water resources. With a population of about 1.3 million, the area has faced severe droughts, prompting EU aid requests. Yet, it’s become a hub for hyperscale data centers, drawn by incentives and location. Amazon’s three facilities here consume up to 600 million liters of water yearly, with a 2024 request for a 48% increase igniting protests [4]. Globally, data centers in drought-prone zones like California and Chile mirror this, using evaporative cooling that consumes vast amounts of potable water—often without transparency [G1][G3]. This report synthesizes factual data, expert analyses, and emerging trends to assess the crisis.
The Scale of Water Consumption
Data centers’ thirst for water is staggering. A 1-megawatt facility can use up to 25.5 million liters each year, matching the daily needs of 300,000 people [1]. In Aragon, Europe’s largest data center covers 190 hectares and consumes approximately 500 million liters of drinking water annually [4]. Amazon’s sites alone represent a significant portion of local resources, tapping municipal supply networks amid shortages [G6]. Microsoft’s annual operations reached 6.4 million cubic meters, a 34% rise year over year, while Google averages 2.1 million liters daily per facility [1][3]. Critics warn that dependence on potable water over recycled sources intensifies scarcity in stressed zones [2][G4].
Local Impacts and Protests in Aragon
Amazon’s water use has triggered outrage in Aragon. The 2024 proposal for a 48% permit increase sparked protests, with residents condemning it as unsustainable amid regional rationing [4][G6]. Environmental groups such as Futuro Vegetal accuse Amazon of prioritizing profit over communities, warning of aquifer depletion [G18]. Experts caution that long-term ecological harm remains possible, though no direct pollution is proven [4][G7]. Social media posts emphasize equivalent consumption of 24,000 Olympic pools across Europe in 2024 [G15]. Hydrologists and activists label such expansions as “resource colonialism,” urging moratoriums [G17][G19].
Global Perspectives and Expert Critiques
Expert consensus remains divided. A 2025 Environmental Law Institute study acknowledges evaporative cooling’s efficiency but condemns high water loss, recommending alternative solutions [2]. Green energy advocate Dale Vince criticizes siting practices in arid locations driven by low costs rather than ethics [G17]. Others defend economic contributions, though job creation remains modest [G8]. Similar dilemmas surface globally—from Texas to Chile—where facilities consume billions of gallons amid shortages [G9][G10]. Analysts project an 11-fold rise in global data‑center water demand by 2028, driven mostly by AI [G11]. Internal reports from companies highlight the risk of “greenwashing,” calling for greater transparency [G7].
Emerging Solutions and Technological Shifts
Constructive strategies emerge. Google uses reclaimed water in 25% of locations, significantly reducing potable demand [3]. Technologies such as liquid immersion and direct‑to‑chip cooling considerably cut water usage [1][2]. Spain’s Blackstone initiative in 2025 introduced water‑free cooling and renewables in Aragon. EU regulators may now demand offsetting and environmental credits [G1]. Experts recommend holistic frameworks balancing water, energy, and social equity to achieve “water‑neutral” operations.
KEY FIGURES
- A 1-megawatt data center can consume up to 25.5 million liters of water annually for cooling, equivalent to the daily water use of about 300,000 people[1].
- Amazon requested a 48% increase in water permits in 2024 for its three data centers in Aragon, Spain, a drought-affected region[4].
- The largest data center in Europe, located in Aragon (190 hectares), requires about 500 million liters of drinking water annually for cooling[4].
- Google’s hyperscale data centers consume approximately 2.1 million liters (550,000 gallons) daily, totaling about 760 million liters annually per facility[1][3].
- Microsoft’s global data center operations consumed nearly 6.4 million cubic meters (1.69 billion gallons) of water in its last reporting year—a 34% increase from the previous year[1].
- Data centers in drought-prone areas often use potable (drinking) water rather than recycled water, exacerbating local water scarcity[2][3].
- Aragon’s population is approximately 1.3 million people (based on region demographics, corroborated by local sources)[4].
RECENT NEWS
- In 2024, Amazon’s proposal to increase water use by 48% in Aragon sparked protests and local opposition, as the region faces severe drought and water shortages[4].
- Aragon authorities have sought EU aid to manage drought impacts, highlighting the strain imposed by data center water consumption[4].
- Local newspapers and environmental groups have characterized Amazon’s water use as a significant problem worsening regional water scarcity, leading to public demonstrations[4].
- Other regions globally, including parts of the US (California, Texas), Chile, and Uruguay, have reported similar conflicts and protests over data center water use in drought-prone areas[3].
- Critics and water experts warn that the expansion of data centers in these areas is unsustainable and unethical given the global water crisis[1][3].
STUDIES AND REPORTS
- A 2025 study by the Environmental Law Institute highlights that data centers consume vast amounts of water largely through evaporative cooling, with many facilities located in water-stressed regions, aggravating local scarcity[2].
- Industry analyses show that evaporative cooling, while energy-efficient, leads to substantial water loss as water evaporates into the atmosphere, with limited use of recycled water[1][2].
- Reports from NGOs and local watchdogs indicate a lack of transparency and fragmented oversight on data center water use, complicating local water resource management[2].
- Research by Dgtl Infra confirms that Google uses reclaimed or non-potable water for cooling in about 25% of its data centers, but most still rely on fresh potable water[3].
- A European report on Aragon’s situation emphasizes that Amazon’s water consumption at its data center accounts for a significant share of the region’s annual water consumption, though exact percentages vary by source[4].
- Scientific consensus warns that building new hyperscale data centers in drought-prone areas without alternative cooling technologies will further exacerbate water stress and impact local communities[1][3].
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
- Companies are exploring water-efficient cooling technologies, including liquid immersion cooling, air cooling, and using recycled or non-potable water sources, but adoption remains limited[2][3].
- Google is a leader in using reclaimed water for cooling at several of its sites, reducing potable water dependency by about 25% in some locations[3].
- Research into direct-to-chip liquid cooling shows promise to reduce overall water use dramatically but is not yet widely deployed in hyperscale centers[1].
- Emerging policies encourage water footprint transparency and sustainable water use metrics (e.g., Water Usage Effectiveness – WUE) to better manage data centers’ water impact[1][2].
MAIN SOURCES
- https://www.cloudcomputing-news.net/news/data-centre-water-consumption-crisis/ – Overview of global data center water use and industry figures
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfRw-nV6b8M – Environmental Law Institute webinar on data centers and water usage (2025)
- https://dgtlinfra.com/data-center-water-usage/ – Detailed data center water consumption guide and examples including Google’s use of reclaimed water
- https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-and-water-consumption – Article on data center water use, focusing on Amazon in Aragon and regional impacts
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Additional context on Aragon, Spain:
- Aragon’s population (~1.3 million) uses a total volume of water annually far exceeding the 500 million liters Amazon’s largest data center consumes, but the center’s water use is still a significant fraction of local available water resources, especially under drought conditions[4].
- Local newspapers and environmental groups highlight the water use by Amazon’s data centers as a key driver of tension in a region already facing water scarcity and drought[4].
- Amazon pays standard regional water tariffs; however, some local voices argue that these rates do not reflect the true environmental cost or scarcity value of water in Aragon[4].
- There is no confirmed evidence of direct pollution from Amazon’s water use in Aragon, but concerns about long-term ecosystem effects and resource depletion remain frequent in local debates[4].
- Specialists and environmentalists in Spain have publicly warned about the risks of expanding water-intensive data centers in drought-prone zones, urging stricter regulation and better sustainable practices[4].
This synthesis reflects the most recent and reliable information available as of 2025 on the water consumption by tech giants’ data centers, particularly emphasizing the critical situation in Aragon, Spain, and similar drought-affected regions worldwide.
Propaganda Risk Analysis
Score: 7/10 (Confidence: medium)
Key Findings
Corporate Interests Identified
The article mentions ‘green energy’ companies, likely referring to tech giants like Amazon (explicitly named in related X posts and web discussions) that operate data centers under green energy branding. These companies benefit from portraying their operations as sustainable, potentially masking high resource demands. Web information highlights how such firms engage in greenwashing to promote ‘green’ data centers while ignoring local water crises, with possible conflicts if the article’s sources are influenced by competing interests (e.g., decentralized AI networks like Akash promoting alternatives).
Missing Perspectives
The article appears to exclude voices from the companies involved (e.g., Amazon or green energy providers) or local economic stakeholders who might highlight job creation or renewable energy benefits. Independent experts on water management or economic development in drought-prone regions like Aragon are not referenced, and there’s no mention of government perspectives or data from regulatory bodies that could provide balance.
Claims Requiring Verification
Key claims like data centers consuming ‘600 million liters of water annually’ or equivalent to ‘a city of 300,000 inhabitants’ in energy use (echoed in X posts) lack specific sourcing in the provided article details. The term ‘resource colonialism’ is used without clear definition or evidence, potentially sensationalizing the issue. Statistics on water use (e.g., 48% increase requests) appear in X posts and web reports but require verification from official sources like regional government data, as they may be exaggerated for impact.
Social Media Analysis
Searches on X/Twitter reveal numerous posts criticizing data centers in Aragon for massive water and energy consumption, often tying into ‘resource colonialism’ and accusing green energy companies of exploitation in a drought-prone area. Posts from activists, politicians, and environmental groups (dated from 2022 to October 2025) highlight protests, share similar statistics (e.g., water equivalent to thousands of swimming pools), and call out companies like Amazon. No clear astroturfing or paid promotions were evident; instead, sentiment is predominantly negative and activist-driven, with some posts promoting alternatives like decentralized networks. Web context supports this, noting industry greenwashing and coordinated misinformation tactics on platforms like X.
Warning Signs
- Use of loaded, emotive language like ‘Thirsty Giants’ and ‘resource colonialism’ that resembles activist rhetoric rather than neutral reporting
- Absence of counterarguments or data on positive impacts, such as economic growth or green energy transitions, suggesting a one-sided narrative
- Potential for unverified statistics, as similar figures in X posts are shared without links to primary sources
- Lack of independent expert opinions, with the article seemingly relying on critical quotes without broader context
- Timing aligns with activist campaigns on X, which could indicate the article is part of or influenced by coordinated environmental advocacy
Reader Guidance
Analysis performed using: Grok real-time X/Twitter analysis with propaganda detection
Other references :
cloudcomputing-news.net – Data centre water consumption creates a global crisis
youtube.com – Data Centers and Water Usage – YouTube
dgtlinfra.com – Data Center Water Usage: A Comprehensive Guide – Dgtl Infra
eesi.org – Data Centers and Water Consumption | Article | EESI
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