Amazon Defends Data Center Water Use Amidst Growing Scrutiny
Amazon has stated its global data centers used 2.5 billion gallons of water, a fraction of U.S. landscape irrigation. The tech giant claims significant water efficiency improvements, asserting its usage is minimal compared to industry peers and other sectors. This defense comes as data center water consumption faces increasing concern and project blockages nationwide.
Key points
- Amazon reported its data centers used 2.5 billion gallons globally, accounting for 0.075% of U.S. landscape irrigation water use.
- The company claims to be improving water efficiency and uses less water per kWh than competitors like Microsoft, Google, and Meta.
- Amazon highlighted EPA data indicating Americans use 9 billion gallons daily for lawn and garden watering.
- This statement addresses concerns over data center water consumption, a factor in blocking new projects, particularly in water-stressed areas.
- The company's defense aims to contextualize its water footprint against broader U.S. consumption patterns.
Amazon has responded to growing concerns over data center water consumption by asserting its usage is comparatively small. The company stated that its global facilities consumed 2.5 billion gallons of water, a figure it contrasts with the vast amounts used for landscape irrigation in the United States. According to Amazon, this data center water use represents only about 0.075% of the water Americans use specifically for watering lawns and gardens.
The tech giant also emphasized its efforts to improve water efficiency. Amazon claims it leads the industry, using the least amount of water per kilowatt-hour among major tech players, including Microsoft, Google, and Meta. This defense comes as data center development faces increasing opposition and project approvals are being halted in various regions, often due to concerns about water resources and local supply strain.
Amazon pointed to Environmental Protection Agency data suggesting Americans use approximately 9 billion gallons of water daily for landscape irrigation alone. By comparison, the 2.5 billion gallons consumed by its data centers worldwide is presented as a minimal contribution. However, the issue remains a significant point of contention, with new data centers frequently proposed in areas already experiencing water scarcity.
Sources
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