AI Datacenters in the U.S. Raise Concerns Over Water Use Amid Drought
The U.S. is experiencing a significant expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) datacenters, with two-thirds of planned facilities set to be built in drought-affected regions, according to The Guardian. These datacenters, which require substantial water for cooling, are projected to consume up to 73 billion gallons annually by 2028, a sharp increase from 17 billion gallons in 2023. The facilities, often located in arid areas due to lower land costs and tax incentives, are adding pressure to already strained water resources. For example, a recently approved datacenter in Utah, twice the size of Manhattan, has sparked local opposition due to its potential impact on the Great Salt Lake. While the industry is adopting water-saving technologies like closed-loop cooling, these systems often require more energy, further complicating environmental concerns. Experts warn that the growing demand for water by datacenters could exacerbate existing shortages, particularly in regions already grappling with climate-indu... 
