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The water has to come from somewhere

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)

Data centers use water to remove heat from their equipment. In evaporative cooling systems, some of that water evaporates rather than returning to the local water system. Electricity generation and hardware manufacturing add an indirect water footprint, too, according to the Pacific Institute .

Where and when that consumption happens matters. The institute warns that data center water demand peaks during hot, dry periods, when supplies may be constrained, and other users also need more. Meeting those peaks can require additional utility infrastructure and spending.

“They are landing on top of the water supply of cities and farms,” study lead author Lorenzo Rosa said in an American Chemical Society release .

That makes data center construction relevant to people who may never pay for an AI subscription .…