Every time you search the internet or use artificial intelligence, giant computer buildings are working hard. These buildings are called data centers. Inside them, thousands of machines run day and night. Because these machines create a lot of heat, operators need special ways to keep them safe.
To stop computers from burning out, tech companies must cool every single server inside their facilities. Many facilities use large amounts of fresh water to chill the warm air. Tech companies often claim that their new technology uses very little liquid today. They say modern evaporative technology and closed loops save precious resources. However, a new report shows that these giant centers still consume millions of gallons of liquid every day. In dry places facing a severe drought, local people worry about having enough drinking supplies. Additionally, generating the electric power that these centers need requires even more liquid at nearby power plants. This creates a hidden strain on local supplies near every major tech-heavy city. The cooling system in modern facilities can easily consume as much liquid as a small town.
As digital tools grow larger, saving drinking supplies becomes a bigger challenge for everyone. Tech companies are now looking for better ways to run their machines without draining local resources.
