In the heart of England’s burgeoning tech sector, a new study is challenging long-held assumptions about the environmental footprint of data centers, particularly their water consumption. According to a report from industry group techUK, the average commercial data center in England uses significantly less water than previously thought—often less than a typical leisure center with a swimming pool. This revelation comes amid growing global concerns over resource strain from the AI boom, but the findings suggest that innovative cooling technologies are making a substantial difference.

The study, which surveyed 55 commercial data centers across England, found that a majority consume under 100,000 liters of water annually for cooling purposes. That’s a fraction compared to the water guzzled by recreational facilities or even some agricultural operations. Waterless cooling methods, such as air-based systems and immersion cooling, now dominate more than half of these sites, reducing reliance on evaporative cooling that traditionally demands high water volumes.

Shifting Perceptions Amid Global Scrutiny

This efficiency stands in stark contrast to reports from water-stressed regions like the American West, where data centers have clashed with communities over aquifer depletion. For instance, a piece in The Washington Post highlighted how facilities in drought-prone areas are tapping into limited freshwater supplies, exacerbating local shortages. Yet in England, operators are embracing sustainable practices, with many sites reporting zero water use for cooling, thanks to closed-loop systems that recycle air or use non-evaporative tech.

Industry insiders point to regulatory pressures and corporate sustainability goals as drivers. Tech giants like Google and Microsoft, facing scrutiny over their global operations, are investing in these technologies. The techUK report emphasizes that while AI workloads are surging, English data centers are proving that high performance doesn’t necessitate high water use— a lesson that could inform expansions elsewhere.

Contrasts with US Consumption Patterns

Across the Atlantic, the story differs dramatically. A 2024 estimate from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, cited in various outlets including FlaglerLive, pegged U.S. data centers at consuming 17 billion gallons of water in 2023 alone, with projections doubling by 2028 due to AI demands. This disparity underscores how location, climate, and infrastructure choices influence resource needs. In cooler English climes, air cooling suffices without the evaporation-heavy methods common in hotter U.S. locales.

Transparency remains a hurdle, however. Research from Fast Company notes that companies like Amazon and Meta often provide inconsistent or vague disclosures on water usage, leaving stakeholders in the dark. The techUK study, by contrast, offers granular data, revealing that only a small fraction of English centers—those using older evaporative systems—exceed minimal thresholds.

Innovations Paving the Way Forward

Looking ahead, experts see potential for global adoption of these water-efficient models. Innovations like liquid immersion cooling, where servers are submerged in non-conductive fluids, eliminate water entirely from the equation. As detailed in a comprehensive guide from Dgtl Infra, such methods are gaining traction in water-stressed areas, potentially slashing consumption by up to 90%.

For industry leaders, the techUK findings, as reported in TechRadar, serve as a blueprint. They demonstrate that with strategic investments, data centers can support the digital economy without draining vital resources. Yet challenges persist: scaling these technologies amid AI’s exponential growth will require collaboration between operators, regulators, and communities to ensure sustainability keeps pace with innovation.

Balancing Growth and Resource Stewardship

Critics argue that even low water use in England doesn’t negate indirect impacts, such as energy production’s water demands. An article from EESI warns that data centers’ overall thirst threatens freshwater supplies worldwide, with only 0.5% of Earth’s water accessible for human use. English operators counter by highlighting integrated approaches, like using renewable energy sources that minimize indirect water footprints.

Ultimately, this study reframes the debate, showing that data centers need not be resource hogs. As the sector expands—projected to handle ever-more data from AI and cloud computing—adopting England’s efficient models could mitigate environmental risks, fostering a more sustainable path for the industry’s future.