Currently – according to PIE's analysis – medium-sized data centers annually consume as much water as 1 thousand. households, while large centers in the USA have as many as a city of 50,000. inhabitants.
Citing estimates from UN Water, PIE pointed out that total global water demand could increase by up to 30%. by 2050 Moreover, as we read in the analysis, households also recorded a huge increase in water consumption over 20 years (up to 200%).
Data centers will create water shortages for people
According to the Institute, while various types of activities (e.g. sending tips on how to save water to recipients along with water bills) can reduce individual consumption, consumption by data centers may deepen water deficits in various places.
An example is e.g. Arizona, where large data centers have been built, despite the fact that this state, due to its very dry climate, is exposed to problems with providing water to its inhabitants. Another such place are the countries of the Middle East, which are trying to attract investments from Western companies, while being one of the most water-poor regions in the world.
Governmental and non-governmental organizations are implementing various solutions to promote water conservation in data centers. One of such initiatives is the calculation and declaration of water use efficiency (WUE). A good signal coming from the industry itself – as indicated in the analysis – is the trend to create more effective and economical refrigeration solutions that reduce not only electricity consumption, but also water consumption.
