AI data centers have a reputation for being thirsty water users. But the reality is more balanced than many think. Last year, one of the biggest cloud providers revealed its data centers used about 2.5 billion gallons of water worldwide. That sounds like a lot. But it’s a tiny fraction compared to how much water people use every day just watering their lawns.

For example, Americans use more than 3 trillion gallons of water annually for landscaping alone. That dwarfs the water used by even the largest AI data centers. In fact, data centers collectively consume less than 1% of the water used for lawn care in the U.S. This shows how small their water footprint is on a national scale.

Local Impacts Are a Different Story

While AI data centers don’t threaten global water supplies, their impact can be serious in local areas. Some data centers draw a significant share of a community’s water. One facility in Georgia uses about 10% of the entire county’s water supply. In northern Virginia, data centers already consume 8% of the water. This could rise to nearly 30% by 2050 if current trends continue.

These concentrated demands can strain local water systems, especially in regions already facing water stress. Nearly 40% of planned and existing data centers in the U.S. sit in places with high or extreme water scarcity. That has led to protests and calls for more transparency about how much water these centers actually use.

How AI Data Centers Keep Water Use Low

Many AI data centers cool their servers by pulling in outside air, which uses almost no water. They switch to water-based cooling only during the hottest times. This approach cuts water use dramatically. One major company reported that 90% of the time, their data centers rely on air cooling. They only use evaporative cooling—where water evaporates to cool the servers—during the hottest hours.

This balance has helped some companies improve their water efficiency by more than 50% since 2021. For every unit of computing power, some data centers use seven times less water than the industry average. They also operate their servers at higher temperatures, which reduces the need for water-intensive cooling.

Another key strategy is using reclaimed water. Some data centers now use 100% recycled water from wastewater treatment plants. This conserves drinking water for local communities. Plans are in place to expand this practice to many more facilities in the coming years.

Investing in Water Replenishment

Big tech companies are not just cutting water use. They are also investing in projects to return water to the environment. For example, one company has over 50 water projects worldwide. These efforts aim to give back more than 5.8 billion gallons of water annually. This includes restoring aquifers, improving irrigation practices, and fixing leaks in public buildings.

The goal is to become “water positive” by 2030. That means returning more water to local ecosystems than the companies consume. This approach helps build trust with communities worried about water shortages.

Still, water use by AI centers is expected to grow as demand for AI computing rises. The industry is building more powerful data centers that need more cooling. Some estimates say water use for AI data centers could reach trillions of gallons annually in the next decade. But even then, it would remain a small slice of total water use worldwide.

Here is the bottom line: AI data centers use water, but they are not draining the planet. Their water footprint is tiny compared to everyday human activities. The main challenge lies in managing local water supplies responsibly. With better technology and smart investments, the data centers can keep growing without hurting nearby communities.