Research shows that data centres rank among the top 10 water-consuming commercial industries worldwide.
A single 1MW facility can use over 25 million litres of water annually for cooling, enough to supply drinking water to more than 400 people for a year.
BSI and Waterwise have published a report, Thirst for Change: Safeguarding Water Security for Sustainable Data Centres, analysing the intersection of data centre growth and water security across nine countries.
The report compares global data centre capacity and ambitions with water security levels, based on BSI and Waterwise’s Global Water Security and Solutions Indicator, and reviews sustainability policies and legislation addressing these challenges.
It is a timely report because the global data centre market is currently valued at $US527 billion and is projected to nearly double by 2030.
While this expansion fuels technological progress, it poses a significant threat to global water security.
Key findings include:
- Australia: Water security score of 39/85, indicating medium-average water insecurity and moderate progress toward solutions, while its data centre sector is expected to double in value by 2030 from $1.72b to $4.98b.
- China: Water security score of 52/85, indicating high water insecurity and slow progress toward solutions, while its data centre sector is expected to nearly double in value by 2030.
- United States: Water insecurity score of 53/85, with no widespread water efficiency policies in place, despite significant projected growth in data centres by 2026.
The report warns that without urgent action, the rapid rise of AI and digital technologies could exacerbate global water scarcity.
BSI global head of assurance sustainability solutions, Murray Sayce, said data centres are critical to digital life but their growth must not come at the expense of water security.
“Our analysis of the nine countries points to a concerning picture that, currently, national sustainability policies and regulations relating to the environmental impact of data centres is limited,” he said.
“Technology is becoming ever more central to our lives, so now is the moment for international collaboration to embed sustainable practices into data centre development and operation.
“International standards and independent assurance schemes provide a foundation for this and we are very keen to work in partnership with business to support a more sustainable approach.”
Waterwise CEO, Nicci Russell, said nothing happens without water.
“This report by BSI underscores the urgent need for governments and industry to integrate water efficiency into data centre planning,” Russell said.
“Ultimately, building a water-secure future requires a concerted effort. Collaboration between government departments, regulators, and industry stakeholders is essential to model water needs, mitigate risks, and ensure that the vital growth of the data centres aligns with global water security goals.
“Without action, the AI revolution could exacerbate global water scarcity.”