Google Unveils 5 Water Pledges for Data Centers as Scarcity Threatens 33 Billion Gallons by 2030
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Jun 3
Google Unveils 5 Water Pledges for Data Centers as Scarcity Threatens 33 Billion Gallons by 2030
3 articles · Updated · WIRED · Jun 3
Summary
Google on Wednesday paired new US water-project funding with five data-center commitments, including a goal to replenish more freshwater than it uses by 2030 and annual site-level water disclosure.
The plan responds to mounting resistance over AI data centers' water demands, with a Gallup poll showing 7 in 10 Americans oppose local projects and water scarcity ranking as the top resource concern.
Google rejected a blanket ban on evaporative cooling, saying four years of hydrologic assessments show cooling choices should match local watersheds; the company instead pledged more reclaimed and recycled water and a data-driven siting framework.
That stance reflects a trade-off: Google says evaporative cooling can cut power use and emissions where water is abundant, while researchers estimate broad use during peak demand could free 10 to 30 gigawatts of grid capacity.
Water risks are already affecting expansion plans—Google halted a Chile data center in 2024 after permit setbacks over water, and Lawrence Berkeley projected hyperscale facilities could use up to 33 billion gallons annually by 2030.