Data centers are using Texas’s water
Data centers in Texas are a growing concern due to their water and electricity consumption. A University of Texas study highlights both direct water use, which is improving, and indirect water use from power generation, which is worsening. The increasing water demands for AI could push data center water usage in Texas to 5% of the state's total, potentially exceeding livestock and mining, especially in water-stressed areas.
Steven Rinella discussed with journalist Ann Vaughan the environmental impact of data centers, specifically focusing on Texas. Vaughan highlighted that Texas is experiencing a significant influx of new data centers, raising concerns about water scarcity in the region.
A new study from the University of Texas was cited, examining both the direct and indirect water usage associated with data centers. While direct water consumption for cooling is reportedly improving, the indirect water use related to power generation is becoming more problematic, depending on the energy sources utilized.
Vaughan explained that while data centers currently account for only 0.4% of Texas's water use, the escalating water demands for artificial intelligence could drastically increase this figure. Projections suggest that the combined direct and indirect water usage for AI-driven data centers in Texas could reach as much as 5% of the state's total water consumption, potentially surpassing that of livestock and mining. This surge is particularly concerning for areas already experiencing water stress.