Data centers power the digital world, but at what cost to our water systems? As AI and cloud infrastructure scale at unprecedented rates, the wastewater generated by cooling towers, treatment systems, and high-volume discharge is quietly straining local utilities, missing reuse opportunities, and flying under the regulatory radar.
We surveyed water utility managers, environmental regulators, engineers, and wastewater operators to understand how the professional community views data center wastewater – its risks, its scale, and who’s responsible for addressing it.
The findings are striking. Transparency is nearly absent. Collaboration between sectors is minimal. And the outlook, without meaningful intervention, is trending in the wrong direction.
Explore the full survey results and find out what the water sector really thinks about the industry reshaping its future.
