US datacenters tripled their water footprint over a decade, according to figures from the start of the AI boom. The report suggests the situation may be worse now.
US datacenters tripled their water footprint over a ten-year period, according to figures cited by The Register. The data reflects the situation at the start of the AI boom, and the report suggests the current figure may be even higher.
The article also criticises 'silo-ed reporting' for not helping address the issue.
Why this matters: The growth in datacenter water use raises environmental concerns, especially as AI workloads expand.
What this means for you: Increased water use by datacenters may affect local water resources and utility costs in regions hosting large facilities.
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