In our recent LinkedIn/Web post, "AI's Secret Ingredient: Water," we highlighted a critical issue: the substantial water usage by AI data centers.
Despite some AI companies neglecting water sustainability, others are actively addressing the issue, recognizing its urgency for technological progress and the well-being of our planet.
Amazon Web Services is leading the way by funding six water replenishment projects in regions currently facing water scarcity due to climate change, population growth, or existing water stress.
These projects are primarily located in Brazil, China, Chile, and 15 US sites. Ongoing for a few years, Amazon expects its water replenishment programs to return two billion gallons of water annually to local communities by 2024.
Water replenishment involves replenishing groundwater sources like aquifers, which many areas of the world rely on for daily water consumption. AI data centers use huge amounts of water for cooling. Replenishment ensures water is recovered for reuse.
Amazon's Chief Sustainability Officer, Kara Hurst, stated, "We're committed to responsible water stewardship in all our operations. Addressing water scarcity is crucial for the well-being of our employees, customers, communities, and business." Amazon aims to be "water positive" by 2030, meaning it will return more freshwater than it withdraws.
Amazon isn't alone in these efforts. Microsoft and other tech giants are recognizing the need for water replenishment and are also working towards water positivity by 2030.
Understanding the vital role of groundwater replenishment is crucial. Groundwater depletion has accelerated worldwide, especially since the early 2000s. When these water sources run dry, there are many negative repercussions. For instance, they can threaten crop production, accelerating food scarcity, a global challenge that requires our immediate attention.
Further, in some areas of the world where groundwater has declined significantly, flood risks have increased after rainfall events. In addition, dozens of coastal cities worldwide—including Tokyo, Mumbai, and Tampa Bay, Florida—have experienced what is called 'land surface sink.' This is a phenomenon where the land surface drops, threatening roads and buildings built on top of it, due to excessive groundwater extraction.
An extreme example of land surface sink is the town of El Dorado, Arkansas. Its groundwater levels dropped by two hundred feet from 1940 through 2000 as local industries pumped more and more water from surrounding aquifers.
While the challenges are there, we at Waterless Co., Inc. remain steadfast in our belief that these challenges can be addressed. More tech companies will join Amazon and Microsoft in replenishing water resources.
Additionally, we are witnessing a growing number of organizations stepping up to the plate when it comes to water efficiency—using water responsibly and implementing water-saving and water-eliminating technologies. These collective efforts give us hope for a more water sustainable future.
Waterless Co., Inc is a pioneer in water efficiency. We are the go-to company when it comes to reducing water consumption, understanding the many benefits of waterless urinals, and finding ways to use water more efficiently. For more information, contact a Waterless Co Specialist.
