Water is a resource that everything needs and though the Earth is mainly water, only 0.5% is safe for consumption. Due to a current need to conserve, stricter water restrictions have been enforced in different parts of the U.S.

Droughts are a major cause of water shortages. Tampa, Fla’s Spectrum News gave an update on the times of when residents can water their lawns, from originally 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., the new times are 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. 

The drought has affected the west and southeast parts of the United States; including Texas, Wyoming and Colorado. Additionally, even states that aren’t in a drought are seeing an increase in water usage.

A large contributing factor to the water shortage is the increase in AI data centers. These data centers require large amounts of water to remain cool and safe, therefore contributing to the mass amounts of water usage. 

An article by the Environmental and Energy Science Institute (EESI) states, “large data centers can consume up to five million gallons per day.” 

In addition to water usage, data centers also release damaging carbon into the atmosphere, helping speed up the process of global warming.

In Oklahoma City, water restrictions have started with designated days for different addresses to water lawns.

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy states, in Texas, AI data centers are estimated to use “as much as 399 billion gallons in 2030.” Some of the water that is used doesn’t get discharged back to be treated, instead it will evaporate. 

This evaporated water leaves behind concentrated salts, changing the water quality making it harder to treat. AI has had more of a negative impact on the environment and resources. Though there are ways to treat the water being used and put back, there is still less usable water for consumers around the world.