A recent report indicates that water consumption by data centers in the United States is projected to rise from 17.4 billion gallons in 2023 to 72.6 billion gallons by 2028. This growth occurs alongside increasing concerns regarding water scarcity and the impact of prolonged drought conditions on infrastructure operations.
To address these challenges, the Environmental Protection Agency introduced a 2026 water-reuse plan. The initiative involves major industry participants, including Amazon Web Services, and focuses on removing regulatory obstacles to using recycled water for cooling systems. The report suggests that onsite reuse of treated industrial discharge could mitigate resource pressure.
Legislative activity is intensifying in Oklahoma, where officials are discussing a potential moratorium on new data center construction. Key figures, including Governor Kevin Stitt and the state legislature, are evaluating the proposal. Future policy decisions may also be influenced by statements from utility providers and water districts regarding regional consumption limits.
