Scottish data centres powering AI already using enough water to fill 27 million bottles a year

"Data centres powering artificial intelligence (AI) in Scotland are using enough tap water to fill 27 million half-litre bottles a year, according to data obtained by BBC News. AI systems such as the large language models (LLMs) that power OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini require warehouses full of specialist computers. The equipment is power-hungry, consuming large amounts of energy, but they also use tonnes of water in their cooling systems to stop the servers overheating."

"Freedom of Information data shows the volume of tap water used by Scotland's data centres has quadrupled since 2021. There are currently 16 data centres in Scotland and this number is set to increase in the years to come. Such centres have been powering the digital world for years - running everything from movie streaming to online banking - but the boom in generative AI tools has rapidly increased the amount of energy and water they use."

"In an interview with BBC Scotland News, Scottish Water described the increase in tap water used by data centres as "significant" - although it pointed out that it still only amounts to about 0.005% of the water supply. As AI booms - with 60% of the UK population already using it - Scottish Water wants the sector to look at sustainable alternatives such as wastewater systems."

""We would like to try to look for other alternative solutions rather than using precious tap water", operations manager Colin Lindsay said. The BBC understands that the majority of data centres in Scotland currently use "open loop" systems, which need a constant supply of mains water. However, the industry is moving to towards more efficient methods such as "closed loop", meaning they would recirculate a fixed amount of water. Mr Lindsay said: "Open loop systems use enormous amounts of water. "We're working with developers on a case-by-case basis to explore sustainable water sources to reduce demand"

Data centres powering AI in Scotland consume tap water equal to 27 million half-litre bottles per year and have quadrupled tap-water usage since 2021. Sixteen data centres currently operate in Scotland, with more planned. The computing equipment is energy-intensive and cooling systems use tonnes of water to prevent overheating. Scottish Water described the increase as significant but said it represents about 0.005% of total water supply. With AI adoption around 60% of the UK population, Scottish Water urges the sector to consider sustainable alternatives such as wastewater reuse. Most centres currently use open-loop mains-water cooling; the industry is shifting toward closed-loop recirculation.

Read at www.bbc.com