AI Wastes More Water Than Other Companies: A Fact-Check

Introduction

The claim that "AI wastes more water than other companies" suggests that the water consumption associated with artificial intelligence operations, particularly in data centers, exceeds that of other industrial sectors. This assertion raises questions about the environmental impact of AI technologies, especially as their use becomes more widespread. In this article, we will examine the available evidence regarding AI's water consumption and compare it to other industries, while critically evaluating the sources of information.

What We Know

1. Water Consumption in Data Centers: Data centers, which host AI computations, are significant consumers of water. According to a report from the University of Illinois, a large data center can consume water equivalent to that of 4,200 people, placing it among the top ten water-consuming industries or commercial sectors 1.

2. Generative AI's Environmental Impact: A Yale e360 article highlights that generative AI requires substantial energy and water for cooling systems in data centers, with millions of gallons of water needed to maintain optimal operating temperatures 2.

3. Research Findings: A study from UC Riverside estimates the water footprint of AI queries, indicating that cloud computations necessitate large volumes of water to cool server racks in expansive data centers 4.

4. Comparative Analysis: The OECD notes that as AI usage grows, its water consumption is becoming a public concern, with tech companies beginning to implement measures to mitigate their water footprint 8.

5. Projected Water Usage: A Forbes article projects that AI's water usage could reach 6.6 billion cubic meters by 2027, highlighting the potential for significant environmental impact if current trends continue 9.

6. Industry Comparisons: While specific comparisons of AI's water usage to other industries are limited, a report from Green Matters suggests that AI's environmental costs, including water use, are substantial, particularly in drought-prone areas 7.

Analysis

The claim that AI wastes more water than other companies is supported by various studies and reports, yet the evidence is not uniformly conclusive.

• Source Reliability: The sources cited include academic institutions (e.g., UC Riverside and the University of Illinois), reputable environmental publications (e.g., Yale e360), and industry analyses (e.g., Forbes and OECD). These sources generally have a strong reputation for reliability, though some may have inherent biases based on their focus on environmental issues.

• Methodological Concerns: Many studies rely on estimates and projections rather than direct measurements of water consumption. For instance, while the UC Riverside study provides estimates of water usage, it does not compare these figures directly with other industries, making it difficult to assess the relative impact of AI.

• Potential Conflicts of Interest: Some sources, particularly those advocating for environmental accountability, may have a vested interest in highlighting the negative impacts of AI. This could lead to an emphasis on AI's water consumption without a balanced view of other industries' water usage.

• Lack of Comprehensive Data: While there are numerous estimates regarding AI's water consumption, comprehensive data comparing AI's water usage to other sectors is scarce. Additional information on the water consumption of various industries, particularly those known for high water use (e.g., agriculture, manufacturing), would provide a clearer context for evaluating the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion that AI wastes more water than other companies is partially supported by evidence, particularly regarding the significant water consumption of data centers that support AI operations. Reports indicate that these data centers can consume water at rates comparable to entire communities, and projections suggest that AI's water usage could escalate dramatically in the coming years. However, the claim lacks comprehensive comparative data against other industries, making it difficult to definitively conclude that AI's water consumption is greater than that of other sectors.

The nuances in the evidence highlight the complexity of the issue. While AI's water usage is indeed substantial, the lack of direct comparisons with other high-water-use industries limits our understanding of its relative impact. Additionally, many of the studies rely on estimates and projections rather than direct measurements, which introduces uncertainty.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the broader context of water consumption across various industries. The environmental impacts of AI are an important topic, but a balanced view requires careful consideration of all relevant data.

Sources

1. AI's Challenging Waters | Civil & Environmental Engineering | Illinois. Retrieved from https://cee.illinois.edu/news/AIs-Challenging-Waters
2. As Use of A.I. Soars, So Does the Energy and Water It Requires - Yale e360. Retrieved from https://e360.yale.edu/features/artificial-intelligence-climate-energy-emissions
3. Explained: Generative AI's environmental impact - MIT News. Retrieved from https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117
4. AI programs consume large volumes of scarce water | UCR News | UC Riverside. Retrieved from https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/04/28/ai-programs-consume-large-volumes-scarce-water
5. Drink industry - Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drink_industry
6. A bottle of water per email: the hidden environmental costs of using AI chatbots - Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/energy-ai-use-electricity-water-data-centers/
7. How Much Water Does AI Use? How AI Harms the Planet - Green Matters. Retrieved from https://www.greenmatters.com/big-impact/how-much-water-does-ai-use
8. How much water does AI consume? The public deserves to know - OECD.AI. Retrieved from https://oecd.ai/en/wonk/how-much-water-does-ai-consume
9. AI Is Accelerating the Loss of Our Scarcest Natural Resource: Water - Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/cindygordon/2024/02/25/ai-is-accelerating-the-loss-of-our-scarcest-natural-resource-water/
10. Water Consumption of AI: How Tech Giants are Draining the Planet 2024 - HyScaler. Retrieved from https://hyscaler.com/insights/water-consumption-of-ai-tech-giants/