Tennessee's biggest data centers consume millions of gallons daily. See how much
Data centers in Tennessee have become a contentious topic, primarily due to their significant water consumption. Three major hyperscale operators—xAI, Google, and Meta—operate large data centers in Memphis, Clarksville, and Gallatin, respectively, each using millions of gallons of water daily or annually. These facilities contribute to an estimated 15.8 billion to 32.7 billion gallons of water usage by hyperscale data centers nationwide by 2028.
Tennessee's rapidly growing data center industry, home to approximately 60 facilities across 10 markets, has sparked widespread debate, particularly concerning its substantial water consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by 2028, hyperscale data centers nationwide could consume between 15.8 billion and 32.7 billion gallons of water annually, a trend reflected in Tennessee's largest operations.
The state's three primary hyperscale operators—xAI, Google, and Meta—have come under scrutiny for their water demands. xAI's Colossus data center in Memphis, primarily for training its Grok AI chatbot, currently uses around three million gallons of water daily and is projected to reach five million gallons per day upon completion. This facility, located in the Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park, spans 217 acres.
Google's campus in Clarksville, operational since 2019, reported using 321.8 million gallons of water in 2025, averaging about 900,000 gallons daily, according to its environmental report. Despite its larger 1,300-acre footprint, Google's water usage is notably less than xAI's. Meanwhile, Meta's Gallatin data center, supporting Facebook, Instagram, and other products, became operational in 2024. Utility records obtained by The Tennessean indicate Meta used 53.4 million gallons of water in 2025, equating to an average of 151,000 gallons per day, with plans for up to 12 data halls upon full completion.