Core Insights - The rapid development of AI technology is leading to a significant increase in water consumption due to the expansion of data centers, which poses a serious resource challenge [1][2] - Environmental experts warn that the chemical additives used in cooling systems of data centers may contaminate groundwater, leading to long-term environmental impacts [3] Water Consumption - There are currently 1,827 active data centers in the U.S., with an additional 1,726 announced and 419 under construction, all requiring millions of gallons of water for cooling [1] - Traditional large data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily, equivalent to the daily water usage of a town with a population of 20,000 to 50,000 [2] - The demand for AI-supporting facilities is projected to grow at an annual rate of 33% by 2030, further increasing water consumption [2] Pollution Risks - The use of chemical additives in cooling systems poses a risk of contaminating soil and groundwater, with persistent chemicals like PFAS being a major concern [3] - High water extraction may lower groundwater levels, threaten local wildlife, and create competition for agricultural water [3] Regulatory Gaps - Virginia, home to the largest data center market in the U.S., lacks statewide regulations on water usage for data centers, highlighting a disconnect between regulatory needs and industry growth [4] - A proposed bill aimed at requiring environmental impact assessments for new data centers was vetoed, indicating challenges in establishing regulatory frameworks [4][5] Corporate Responses - Amazon Web Services (AWS) aims to achieve "water positive" status by 2030, focusing on sustainable water sources and reporting a 53% completion rate towards this goal [6] - Google utilizes recycled or non-potable water in over 25% of its data centers, while Microsoft has developed designs that eliminate the need for water in cooling AI workloads [6]