Business Daily The impact of 'thirsty' data centres
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Jul 9, 2025 In Georgia, massive data centers are straining local water supplies, raising concerns about their impact on communities and the environment. A resident shares her struggles with water quality since a new center arrived, while local advocates work tirelessly to protect the Flint River from potential pollutants. The discussion reveals the tension between economic growth driven by AI and the environmental footprint of these facilities, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovative solutions in data management.
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Beverly Morris' Water Struggle
- Beverly Morris purchased what she thought was her dream home in Georgia in 2016.
- The construction of a nearby Meta data centre caused sediment problems making her bathroom unusable and life difficult.
Cooling Tech's Water Hunger
- Data centre processors generate immense heat hotter than the sun's surface.
- Cooling these chips consumes massive water volumes, a challenge intensified by AI demand.
AI Drives Massive Water Use
- AI data centres are far thirstier than earlier tech infrastructures.
- A single AI query can use as much water as a bottled drink, scaling to trillions of gallons annually.