Data Centres Drive Rising Water, Energy Strains Across US, Latin America

The rapid expansion of data centers, driven by increasing demand for AI and digital services, is creating significant challenges related to water consumption and energy sourcing across various regions. In Georgia, data centers like Meta's are powered increasingly by solar energy, complemented by sheep grazing to manage vegetation, but utilities are also extending the use of fossil fuels to meet surging energy demands, raising concerns among climate advocates. Meanwhile, in Brazil, new data centers are being constructed in drought-prone areas such as Caucaia, despite the heavy water usage required for cooling supercomputers, highlighting a tension between infrastructure growth and environmental sustainability. Across the United States, water utilities are beginning to recognize the large water requirements of data centers, especially for cooling AI systems, but more than half have yet to incorporate this demand into their long-term resource planning. Local authorities in places like Douglas County, Georgia, are grappling with how to balance water supply for traditional users with the relentless needs of data centers, while existing water policies do not yet adequately address these new demands. Overall, the growth of data centers presents complex challenges in managing water resources sustainably and aligning energy strategies with climate goals.