Data Centers and Water: Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Cooling

Authors

Leila Khatib, San Jose State UniversityFollow
Anh Pham, San Jose State University
Khaled Ahmed, Intel Corporation
Val S. Frenkel, TYLin

Publication Date

9-11-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal American Water Works Association

Volume

117

Issue

8

DOI

10.1002/awwa.2504

First Page

48

Last Page

53

Abstract

Data center operations require vast quantities of water, often in regions where access is limited. As data centers expand to meet the surging demands of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, their water and energy use has become a pressing challenge. Data centers’ water use results in potential ecological risks from discharge of heated water and elevated salinity. Innovative strategies can help data centers mitigate the negative effects they have on water supply and environmental health.

Keywords

artificial intelligence, environment and technology, source water protection, water demand

Department

Biological Sciences

Recommended Citation

Leila Khatib, Anh Pham, Khaled Ahmed, and Val S. Frenkel. "Data Centers and Water: Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Cooling" Journal American Water Works Association (2025): 48-53. https://doi.org/10.1002/awwa.2504