Water consumption – The Green Tau

12th January

Data centres – which includes those that provide AI – use large amounts of water, principally in providing cooling., but also (depending on the source of their electricity) from the water needed at fossil fuelled power plants where water is again needed for cooling. It is estimated that the water footprint of AI in 2025 was somewhere between 313 and 765 billion litres which apparently is roughly the same as the amount of bottled water consumed globally. (1)

This consumption of water is going to increase as our use of and development of AI continues to expand. By 2027 experts predict global water use by could reach 4.2–6.6 trillion litres annually – equivalent to about half the UK’s annual water consumption. (2)

In a world where freshwater is already in short supply, this is a serious issue as highlighted in this comment from a UK Government blog:

“AI has potential to address challenges in healthcare, inequality and climate monitoring. However, these benefits must be weighed against the full environmental impact of building and running AI systems. This requires development of a comprehensive and transparent series of metrics that include, carbon emissions, energy consumption, water usage, biodiversity and social impact. Only by looking at AI through these combined lenses can we ensure it delivers net benefit rather than widening inequality or disproportionately impacting communities and regions.” (3)

A UK government report ‘Water use in AI and Data Centre’ highlights the issue of the 2050 projected daily 5 billion litre water deficit versus the expansion of date centres in the UK. It notes with concern that in coming to its projection of a 5 billion litre water shortage, the Environment Agency has not included any figures for the anticipated increased water demands that will be made as data centres expand. This is aggravated by a lack of information as data centres are not required to be transparent about the amount of water and electricity that are and will be using. Mandating transparency would encourage data centre to find ways of minimising the resources they need and would enable the relevant authorities to make better decisions as to where new data centres could or should not be located. (They should not for example be located in areas already prone to water shortages). (4)

Equally if information about the likely consumption of scarce resources were more readily available, it would enable a better discussion as to whether we should be encouraged the unrestricted growth of AI and data centre, and have the ability to weigh up the benefits of AI against its detriments.

9th January

How do we protect and preserve fresh water supplies – part 4

As consumers we can use less water by reducing the amount we literally take from our taps, but we can also reduce the amount we consumer by reducing some of the things we buy. Everything we consume has a water footprint. Here again there is a strong argument for eating less meat and dairy and more nuts, seeds and pulses, and locally produced, in-season fruits and vegetables.

1kg of beef uses 15,415 litres of water, milk 1020 litres and vegetables an average of 322 litres. (1) Dried beans use 5053 litres , lentils 5874 litres and shelled walnuts 9280litres. (2) (NB a portion of beef will typically be twice the weight or more of a portion of beans or pulses).

Another significant item of consumption that can impact our water footprint, is clothing. Making clothes – growing cotton, manufacturing threads and dying the fabrics – uses a significant amount of water.

To produce a T-shirt can use 2000litres of water, a pair of jeans 11,000 litres, a pair of leather shoes 8000 litres. (3)

If we buy fewer items of clothes – buying items we know we like and they we know will last – rather than buying lots of new items which we may wear once and discard, we will make an impact on reducing water consumption and save money too! Clothes will last longer of we take care of them, mending and cleaning them as necessary. And if we no longer need or want them, we can give/ sell them as preloved items. Equally we can save water and money by ourselves buying preloved items.

Tag: Water consumption

Counting on 2026 … day 4

Counting on 2026 … day 3