Data centers' hidden water cost: A call for transparency

Dr. Ana Pinheiro Privette, Director of Research Applications and New Research Initiatives at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, recently presented on the hidden environmental costs, particularly water consumption, associated with the booming data center industry. Speaking at the Bureau of Geology, Privette highlighted that despite data centers being among the top 10 most water-consuming industries, there are no federal requirements for them to disclose their water usage. She noted that evaporative cooling systems, common in large data centers, can consume 70-90% of the water they use, which is then lost from the system. The United States hosts about half of the world's data centers, with a significant concentration in Virginia, where 70% of global internet traffic passes through. Privette stressed the need for transparency and better data to manage these resources effectively. While acknowledging the benefits of digital technology, she urged communities and policymakers to actively negotiate with developers for sustainable practices, including using renewable energy and reducing water consumption. Some states, like Virginia, are beginning to enact legislation requiring utilities to report water supplied to data centers, indicating a move towards greater accountability.