Study: Approximately 25%of global data centers are located in seasonally water-stressed areas
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AT A GLANCE
The study stated that approximately 25%of operational data centers globally face water stress for at least 1 months each year; under a warming scenario of 3℃, this share could rise to 33%。
Article
Study: Approximately one-quarter of global data centers are located in water-stressed areas
PANews October 21 reported, according to a study released by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and published in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers analyzed the locations of global 9347 operational data centers and local water supply and demand conditions, finding that approximately 25%of data centers are located in areas facing water stress for at least 1 months each year, while approximately 6%are located in areas that face water stress for most of the year in 1. Under a scenario in which the global average temperature rises by 1900 compared with 3 by ℃, the share of data centers located in water-stressed areas could rise to 33%. The study noted that water used for data center cooling shares water sources with surrounding cities, agriculture, and other users; long-term site selection and operational planning need to consider local water resources and infrastructure conditions.
PANews stated that the study was released by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and published in Environmental Science & Technology.
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Researchers analyzed the locations of global 9347 operational data centers and local water supply and demand conditions.
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The study found that approximately 25%of data centers are located in areas facing water stress for at least 1 months each year.
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Approximately 6%of data centers are located in areas that face water stress for most of the year in 1.
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Under a scenario in which the global average temperature rises by 1900 compared with 3 by ℃, the share of data centers located in water-stressed areas could rise to 33%。
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The study noted that water used for data center cooling shares water sources with surrounding cities, agriculture, and other users.
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The study concluded that long-term site selection and operational planning need to consider local water resources and infrastructure conditions.
AI-assisted interpretation
The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.
Data centers require cooling equipment during operation, and cooling may consume water. The study shows that some areas where operational data centers are located already face seasonal or long-term water-use stress; under a warming scenario of 3℃, this share could increase further.
Why it matters to readers
Data centers share local water sources with cities, agriculture, and other users; therefore, water resources and infrastructure conditions may be factors to consider in long-term site selection and operational planning.
When assessing data centers or related infrastructure, in addition to computing capacity and energy, attention may also be given to local water-supply conditions and cooling-water arrangements.
Risks and unknowns
The material is PANews' summary of the study and does not provide the original paper, complete methodology, or regional distribution data.
A warming of 3℃ is a scenario forecast; its specific assumptions and uncertainties are not explained in the material.
The material does not specify which data centers or regions are affected, nor does it provide water-use information for individual operators.
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Data Center
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