AI

Data Centers and Water Consumption

Data center developers are increasingly tapping into freshwater resources to quench the thirst of data centers, which is putting nearby communities at risk.

Large data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons per day, equivalent to the water use of a town populated by 10,000 to 50,000 people.

With larger and new AI-focused data centers, water consumption is increasing alongside energy usage and carbon emissions.

Novel technologies like direct-to-chip cooling and immersion cooling can reduce water and energy usage by data centers.

How much water does AI consume? The public deserves to know

Air pollution and carbon emissions are well-known environmental costs of AI. But, a much lesser-known fact is that AI models are also water guzzlers. They consume fresh water in two ways: onsite server cooling (scope 1) and offsite electricity generation (scope 2).

Scope-1 onsite water consumption: AI servers’ massive energy consumption generates much heat. To dissipate the heat into the outside environment and avoid server overheating, data centres commonly use cooling towers and/or outside air, which need a staggering amount of clean, fresh water. Cooling towers rely on water evaporation to produce cold water, and outside air needs water for evaporation assistance when it’s too hot and for humidity control when it’s too dry. Because of the high power densities of AI servers, on-chip liquid cooling may be employed: closed-loop circulating liquid directly moves the heat from the servers to the data centre facility (e.g., the facility’s cooling water loop). Then, the heat moved to the facility will be rejected by cooling towers or outside air, which consumes water.

Scope-2 offsite water consumption: Generating electricity also consumes a lot of water through cooling at thermal power and nuclear plants and expedited water evaporation caused by hydropower plants. Thus, AI is responsible for scope-2 offsite water consumption.

How Much Water Does ChatGPT Use? Calculate Your AI Footprint

Right now, the Alberta government is keen on AI data centres, despite droughts and a lack of electricity.  But why would the facts slow down a provincial government, so intent on their own interests that they ignore what Albertans want or need?

How Might this Affect Affordability and Quality of Life for Albertans?

Albertans are already familiar with — and sensitive to — billing shocks and problems with grid reliability. In early 2024, during a cold snap, plant outages and forecasting errors resulted in  rolling brownouts. Grid alerts have become more frequent, and experts argue there’s a need for a cleaner, more flexible system to help keep the lights on and the system affordable.

Meeting the demand for AI, which requires tens of gigawatts beyond what the grid already produces, could affect the quality of life for Albertans in several ways. These data centres could:

Drive up the price for power if gas plants or transmission upgrades cost more than planned, especially if tech companies negotiate favourable rates that shift the cost of power generation to the general public. 

Increase noise and air quality concerns for people living near the sites. On-site gas plants and large cooling systems have affected people living near data centres in other communities, and have been a major concern for citizens of Olds, where the Synapse data centre has been proposed.

Require upgrades to water infrastructure, with citizens paying for some of the cost. This has also happened in other communities where data centres have been built. 

While the Alberta government has introduced legislation (Bill 8) to help encourage tech companies to build self-powered data centres, their impact will still have to be carefully managed. Experts warn the balance between private benefit and public cost will depend on how deals are structured and regulated. 

Ironically, google used AI to give me this information.  I don't think we can afford to use AI.  I think the cost is too high.  That's just my opinion.  Most animals understand that you don't shit in your own next but some people don't understand that.  We are connected to the land, to the air, and to the water.  What happens to the land, air, and water, happens to us as well, and not just us, but future generations as well.  We need to do better.