Map Shows States Using the Most Water for Data Centers
Summary
A study found that data centers in seven U.S. states use a large amount of freshwater each year to generate electricity that powers them. California uses the most water due to its reliance on hydroelectric power, while states like Virginia and Arizona also have high water use linked to their power sources.Key Facts
- Seven states studied: California, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, Georgia, and Ohio, which hold about half of U.S. data centers.
- Data centers rely on about 3.4 trillion gallons of freshwater annually, but this water is mainly used by power plants producing their electricity, not directly inside the data centers.
- California leads with 1.4 trillion gallons withdrawn for electricity generation for data centers.
- Virginia follows with 753 billion gallons, and Arizona uses 520 billion gallons of water for power used by data centers.
- States that depend on hydroelectric or thermal power plants withdraw more water than those using other energy sources.
- Virginia has the most data centers (around 674), but California has fewer (about 296) and still uses more water, showing the impact of power generation types.
- Arizona and Georgia face water stress and drought risks affecting their electricity generation. For example, 79% of Arizona’s electricity linked to water use is from water-stressed areas.
- Overall, 66% of electricity generated using water comes from regions with medium to extremely high water stress.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
