India’s rapid data center expansion is raising alarm over water scarcity in already stressed regions. Over half of the country’s data centers are located in areas where water supply is critically low, such as Khora, a suburb of Ghaziabad. Residents have struggled for years to secure reliable water access, relying heavily on expensive and unreliable groundwater systems.
As companies rush to establish AI infrastructure, the demand for water to cool these data centers is increasing, compounding the existing water crisis. The surge in data center capacity—from 375 megawatts in 2020 to an expected 1,500 megawatts by 2025—intensifies pressure on local groundwater supplies, which are already being overexploited.
The environmental impact is significant; data centers not only consume vast amounts of water but also contribute to rising local temperatures, which could further escalate air conditioning needs in surrounding areas. Despite promises from the Uttar Pradesh government for continuous water supply to these facilities, concerns about the sustainability of this approach persist.
The lack of comprehensive regulation regarding water use by data centers leaves many questions unanswered. As the industry grows, so does the urgency for effective water management policies to balance technological advancement with the fundamental need for water in local communities.
Source: DW News
