Amazon has been under scrutiny for its water usage in its data centers. A leaked internal document suggests the company has been less than transparent about how much water it actually consumes to cool its vast facilities.
As the world’s largest data center operator, Amazon is expanding rapidly, driven by demand for artificial intelligence services. However, this growth raises concerns about its environmental impact, specifically how much water is needed to keep these centers cool.
Critics point out that while competitors like Microsoft and Google disclose their water usage, Amazon has not provided similar figures. Instead, it reports a smaller number—7.7 billion gallons annually—without including the significant water used to generate electricity for these facilities. In 2021, the company consumed a staggering 105 billion gallons of water—enough to supply nearly a million households for a year.
Amazon claims its approach to water management is evolving. In November 2022, the company launched a “Water Positive” campaign, promising to return more water than it uses by 2030. But scientists argue that this goal lacks transparency. Shaolei Ren, a professor at the University of California, Riverside, stresses that both primary and secondary water use should be included to accurately assess the environmental impact of data centers.
User reactions on social media reflect a mix of concern and support for Amazon’s efforts. Some applaud the sustainability initiative, while others accuse the company of trying to mask its true environmental footprint. A software developer within Amazon expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, noting that owning up to water usage would foster trust.
While AWS reported achieving 53% of its water positive goal, experts suggest the actual effectiveness is murky. Tyler Farrow from the Alliance for Water Stewardship challenges the integrity of the company’s offset plans, arguing they do not genuinely mitigate water consumption.
The criticism is not just about data disclosure—it’s also about industry practices. Amazon has funded efforts to create methodologies for calculating the benefits of watershed restoration, a move some view as an attempt to downplay their water usage.
As tech giants like Amazon shift gears towards AI, the spotlight on sustainability and resource usage is bound to grow. The public will likely continue to demand clarity regarding how much water is being consumed and the steps taken to mitigate impact.
Read more about related efforts in water sustainability in the Guardian article.
