Hidden Costs - Big Data's Water Use

As our daily routines continue to be disrupted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many are turning to digital platforms for entertainment, work, communication, and socializing. One commonality in our increasingly digital routine is the reliance on the data centers that make it all possible, and in turn, the resource that keeps our data flowing - water. A recent article on the massive increases in data network usage during this pandemic discusses the underlying water cost. The article illustrates the impact of big data on water resources by pointing to the Google data center project approved last year in Mesa, AZ. According to the article, Google's data center would initially receive one million gallons of water per day from the city, increasing to as much as 4 million gallons per day as the center develops. The situation is similar at data centers across the country and throughout the world. As data network use increases, so does the demand for cooling water and power. which is often generated in already water-stressed regions.