Drought raises concerns about data centers' water usage
News ClipWRAL·NC·4/20/2026
Drought conditions are raising significant concerns about the high water usage of large data centers, particularly for cooling processes where much water is lost to evaporation. Local leaders and utility providers are actively assessing the impacts on water supply, planning for future demand, and considering oversight measures.
environmentalwatergovernment
A growing concern has emerged regarding the substantial water consumption of large data centers, especially in regions experiencing drought. These facilities require millions of gallons daily for cooling systems, with a significant portion of this water being lost to evaporation.
Local government officials and utility providers are now tasked with evaluating the broader implications of this demand on existing water supplies. They are also developing plans for future infrastructure and contemplating increased oversight of data center operations to mitigate environmental impacts.