Amazon Reports 2.5 Billion Gallons of Data Center Water Consumption Amid AI Growth

Amazon says its global data centers used approximately 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025, marking the first time the company has publicly disclosed a total figure for water consumption across its data-center operations. The company says water use fell 2% from the previous year despite continued expansion and argues its facilities are more water-efficient than industry averages.

The disclosure arrives as governments, environmental groups, and local communities increasingly scrutinize the environmental costs of AI infrastructure. Data centers require large amounts of water to cool servers, particularly during periods of extreme heat. Critics note that reported figures generally focus on direct operational use and may not fully capture indirect water consumption associated with electricity generation and construction.

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The broader concern extends beyond Amazon. Researchers and policymakers are examining whether rapid AI-driven growth could place additional pressure on water supplies in regions already facing scarcity. Several states and local governments have begun pushing for greater transparency as communities evaluate new data-center proposals.

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