Amazon Data Centers Tout Water Efficiency Gains
Amazon announced significant water efficiency gains in its Northern Virginia data centers, reducing water use by 42% year-over-year in the region. This comes as a new Virginia law, set to take effect in 2027, will require water providers to publicly disclose the amount of water used by data centers quarterly.
Amazon has reported a 42% year-over-year reduction in water usage at its data centers in Northern Virginia, which hosts the company's largest IT load. This announcement coincides with a new law introduced by Sen. Kannan Srinivasan (D-32) that will require water providers to publish data center water consumption quarterly, starting January 1, 2027.
According to Loudoun Water Stakeholder Relations Chief Mark Peterson, the county's 53 million square feet of data center space currently consumes up to 10% of Loudoun Water's potable supply, rising to 13% with reclaimed water. Amazon attributes its efficiency gains to technological advancements and server equipment upgrades that can withstand higher temperatures, allowing for 'free air-cooling' for over 95% of the year in Virginia.
Amazon Water Principal Beau Schilz noted that while water cooling is necessary above 85 degrees, the company is also focused on using recycled water and developing new infrastructure to support broader community use. Globally, Amazon's data center operations in 2025 used 0.12 liters of water per kilowatt-hour, aiming to be water positive by 2030, a goal for which they are now 75% complete.