Geospatial assessment of water footprints for hyperscale data centers in the United States

Abstract

The sustainability of water usage in data centers is of growing importance considering rapid digitalization and environmental constraints on freshwater resources. However, the water footprint of data centers remains understudied, posing challenges to achieving sustainable data center operations. In this study, we assessed the water footprint of hyperscale data centers in the U.S. and identified major drivers of water use in data centers. Our findings offer valuable insights for designing water-efficient data centers, implementing sustainable practices, and formulating effective policies and technology incentives.