Amazon Discloses 2025 Data-Center Water Use as Communities Question Impact

Amazon Web Services disclosed that its data centers withdrew 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025, 0.03 gallons per kWh—a 52 % efficiency gain since 2021, returned two-thirds to local communities and aims for water-positive status by 2030.

Amazon — finally — reports its annual water use at data centers

Amazon had not disclosed aggregate water use, while Google, Meta and Microsoft have reported such data since 2020. AI-driven workloads have raised industry water demand, sparking local scrutiny of sites.

Amazon — finally — reports its annual water use at data centers

The 2.5 billion-gallon withdrawal equals 0.12 liters per kWh, seven times the industry average of 0.84 liters per kWh. Amazon runs 26 sites on 100 % reclaimed water and 50 projects returning >5.8 billion gallons annually. Water use fell 2 % from 2024 to 2025 despite added capacity.

Amazon — finally — reports its annual water use at data centers

Large-scale water use impacts aquifers, temperature regimes and ecosystems, especially in water-scarce regions where AWS seeks permits. Indirect water demand from power generation adds to the cloud sector’s environmental footprint.

Amazon — finally — reports its annual water use at data centers

Brandon Oyer, AWS’s head of energy and water for the Americas, said AWS now tracks water-efficiency metrics and limits evaporative cooling to under 10 % of the year. Roger Wehner, AWS vice president, told Clinton officials Virginia data center will not use water for cooling, restricting use to domestic needs. The DEQ confirmed discharge will meet state temperature and metal limits.

Amazon — finally — reports its annual water use at data centers

Residents near Lake Anna and in Louisa County warn that treated discharge could raise creek temperatures, harm fish and introduce PFAS, noting the draft permit lacks PFAS testing. They stress water use will continue after facilities close, raising long-term ecological concerns.

DEQ meeting about data center discharge water into Lake Anna tributaries turns contentious

Amazon reports a 0.12-liter per kWh efficiency, while independent studies base industry averages on broader electricity-generation water use, leaving total indirect consumption unclear. The permit’s lack of mandatory PFAS testing highlights a data gap regulators and communities want filled.

Amazon — finally — reports its annual water use at data centers

• “If you can do more with less, then that is the best way to scale up.” — Brandon Oyer, Head of Energy and Water, AWS

Amazon — finally — reports its annual water use at data centers

• “If we can drive up the outside temperature at which we have to use evaporation, that saves water.” — Brandon Oyer

Amazon — finally — reports its annual water use at data centers

• “It's a nice summer morning. It's not that hot out. I'm gonna open up my windows rather than turn the air conditioner on and just let the breeze pull through.” — Joern Tinnemeyer, Data Center Engineering Leader, Amazon

South Bend Tribune

• “We are affected by this and it bothers me where it is we can’t speak, we can’t put our values out there,” — Cathy Corker, Louisa County resident

DEQ meeting about data center discharge water into Lake Anna tributaries turns contentious

Virginia DEQ will issue a final decision on the Lake Anna discharge permit in the coming weeks, and Amazon plans to expand its reclaimed-water program while tracking progress toward a water-positive status exceeding 100 % by 2030.

DEQ meeting about data center discharge water into Lake Anna tributaries turns contentious