The Secret Cost of the Digital Era: The Water Vanishing to Feed the Clouds
The Internet may seem weightless and formless, but behind every message, transaction, or search lies massive physical data centers that consume energy, land, and water – a lot of water. With the proliferation of artificial intelligence, communities like Beverly Morris’ in Georgia are already experiencing the consequences of these infrastructures, with no clear solution in sight.
### When the cloud consumes the neighbor’s water
In 2016, Beverly Morris moved to the countryside in search of tranquility. Since then, she has noticed issues with her well, sediment buildup, water pressure loss, and unreliable tap water. Despite Meta denying responsibility and presenting its own studies, Morris no longer feels safe or welcome in her home. Her story mirrors a growing tension across the United States, with claims from communities intensifying as AI-driven growth increases water consumption to cool tirelessly working servers.
### An insatiable and relentless industry
During hot days, a single data center can evaporate millions of liters of water through cooling systems. Studies predict that by 2027, the sector could globally consume between 4,200 and 6,600 million cubic meters of water. In Georgia, known for its attractive humid climate to companies, this translates to muddy streams, citizen complaints, and monitored rivers. Companies profess to return more water than they consume through rainwater collection, wastewater use, and leak repairs. However, even everyday actions like a ChatGPT query can consume the equivalent of a small water bottle, adding up with every click.
Professor Rajiv Garg, a cloud computing expert, recognizes data centers as a critical global infrastructure. “There is no turning back,” he says, emphasizing the need for a future AI built with long-term vision and respect for essential resources.
