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AI's Water Usage Sparks Concerns Over Future Supply

2/22/2026

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Story summary
  • Concerns rise about AI's water use as data centers require significant water for cooling and operations.
  • Estimates vary, with some suggesting ChatGPT uses about 500 ml for 10–50 responses, while others say this figure is overstated.
  • Experts warn that demand for fresh water may exceed supply by 40% by the decade's end.
  • Google claims its data centers are among the most efficient and aims to replenish more water than it consumes.