US Data Center Water Use May Quadruple By 2028, Prompting Local Approval Tightening

DOE estimates suggest US data center water consumption could rise from 17 billion gallons to four times that amount by 2028, driving municipalities like Tucson and Kansas City to restrict new facility approvals.

Woofun AI data shows that U.S. data centers are projected to directly consume approximately 17 billion gallons of water by 2023, a figure the U.S. Department of Energy estimates could double to quadruple by 2028. Large facilities utilize up to 5 million gallons daily for cooling, with one-fifth of centers located in water-stressed regions as of 2021.

Local authorities are implementing stricter oversight in response. Tucson, Arizona, previously rejected an Amazon-linked project due to potential water demand, while Kansas City now mandates city council approval and impact assessments for new developments regarding water resources and electricity costs.