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Some data centers use substantial water because evaporative cooling towers remove heat from servers, but water is not required by every cooling design. How much a facility uses depends on its heat load, cooling equipment, operating conditions and water source. A fair comparison also considers electricity: reducing direct water use can increase cooling-system energy demand.
Why do data centers use water?
Servers, storage and networking equipment turn electricity into heat. In a common cooling-tower setup, that heat moves from the data hall into chilled water, then into condenser water, and finally leaves the facility as water evaporates in a cooling tower. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) explains that cooling-tower water consumption depends on the heat generated by IT equipment and other facility loads, and on how efficiently the facility removes that heat. DOE guidance on data-center design
Because IT equipment runs continuously, the heat load—and the need to remove it—can also be continuous. But facilities use different designs: some rely on evaporative cooling, while others use air cooling or mechanical chillers. So “data centers use X gallons” is not meaningful without a facility, location, time period, cooling design and water metric.
How much water does a data center use?
There is no single current, independently comparable total for all data-center water consumption in the cited sources. Reported figures may describe one site, a company’s fleet or a particular year, and they may measure different things. Do not treat withdrawals and consumption as interchangeable or add company figures together as if they were a sector total.
What WUE measures
Water usage effectiveness (WUE) is an efficiency ratio, not a facility’s total water use: annual site water use in liters divided by annual IT-equipment energy use in kilowatt-hours (kWh), as defined by DOE. A WUE value therefore needs its reporting boundary and period to be useful.
Examples from company reporting
| Reported figure | Scope and qualification |
|---|---|
| 0.30 L/kWh WUE | Microsoft-reported fleet figure for FY2024. Microsoft said it was 39% better than its global average of 0.49 L/kWh in 2021; this is a company comparison, not an industry baseline. Microsoft data-center sustainability reporting |
| 23% year-over-year WUE reduction | Microsoft-reported change at its Phoenix facility for FY2025, attributed to cooling-system changes that provide finer temperature and humidity control. Microsoft data-center sustainability reporting |
| More than 125 million liters saved per facility each year | Microsoft’s 2025 estimate for its described direct-to-chip design. It is a company estimate for that design, not a universal or independently verified outcome for every facility. Microsoft’s design explanation |
| 87% of freshwater withdrawals | Google reported in 2025 that this share came from sources assessed as low or medium risk of water depletion or scarcity. Google directs readers to its 2026 Environmental Report for calculation methodology; the figure is company-reported and does not describe every site. Google sustainability reports |
| PUE of 1.09 | Google’s reported data-center fleet PUE for 2025. Power usage effectiveness (PUE) is a facility-energy metric, not a measure of water use. Google sustainability reports |
Can data centers cool without water?
Yes. Air cooling and mechanical chillers are alternatives to evaporative cooling towers, and some newer designs circulate coolant directly to chips. Microsoft says its next-generation design uses direct-to-chip cooling and air-cooled chillers outside the building, avoiding water-consuming cooling towers during normal operations as described by the company. Microsoft’s design explanation
However, “no water” is not a complete environmental comparison. Google describes water cooling as energy-efficient, and Microsoft says replacing evaporative cooling with mechanical cooling can raise PUE. Microsoft says warmer operating temperatures and efficient economizing chillers may limit that increase, but this is its design claim, not a guarantee for all facilities. Google on data-center water use Microsoft’s design explanation
When comparing cooling options, consider these factors together:
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- Direct water: distinguish water withdrawn from water consumed, and identify the facility and reporting period.
- Source and location: note whether water is freshwater, reclaimed or recycled, and assess local scarcity and seasonal supply.
- Electricity: compare cooling-system energy or PUE, rather than assuming a water-saving design has no energy cost.
- Operating conditions: account for climate, heat load, temperature range and reliability requirements.
- Evidence: separate measured operating data from estimates or design projections.
Do data centers use drinking water?
Some facilities may use freshwater, but the available figures do not establish that every data center uses drinking water, or how often potable water is used across the industry. Water source is a site-specific question. Operators may consider reclaimed or recycled water as an alternative to freshwater; using it does not by itself establish that local impacts are acceptable.
Google says its site-level decisions consider alternatives to freshwater, water sourcing and watershed stewardship. Its reported 2025 share of freshwater withdrawals from low- or medium-risk sources is a company-wide figure, not proof that every Google location is free of water pressure. Google on data-center water use Google sustainability reports
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do data centers compete with local communities for water?
They can add demand to a local water system, but the impact depends on the source, watershed, season and needs of other users. A company-wide efficiency or sourcing figure cannot establish whether a particular facility strains a community’s supply, and a watershed project does not by itself prove that local effects have been offset.
To assess a specific facility, look for its site-level water withdrawals and consumption, the reporting period and water source. Local utility or permit records can help establish how the facility fits into the watershed’s supply and demand. A claim about community impact needs local evidence, not a sector-wide generalization.
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Improve cooling operations
DOE identifies several operational measures: avoid unnecessarily restrictive temperature and humidity settings, manage airflow to keep hot exhaust from mixing with cool supply air, and use air-side economizing when outdoor conditions allow. Hot- and cool-aisle separation can improve air management and reduce chiller energy use, which can in turn lower cooling-tower water demand. The possible savings depend on the changes made and outdoor conditions. DOE guidance on data-center design
Change cooling equipment or water sources
Operators can consider designs such as direct-to-chip cooling and air-cooled chillers, or use reclaimed and recycled water where suitable. These approaches change the facility’s water and energy profile; their effects should be assessed for the specific site rather than assumed from the technology label alone. Google says it weighs energy impacts, water sourcing and alternatives to freshwater in campus decisions. Google on data-center water use Microsoft’s design explanation
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