AI Data Centers May Strain Water Supplies in US High-Stress Regions

AI data centers are straining water supplies in high-stress U.S. regions, with two-thirds of new facilities since 2022 located in areas facing shortages. A single 100MW site consumes 2 million liters daily, equivalent to 6,500 households, as evaporative cooling evaporates 80% of water used. About two-thirds of new data centers built or planned since 2022 [...]