Data Center Operators Are Trying to Fix Their Water Use Problems

Key points

• On Monday, SpaceX amended its initial public offering to state that water conditions—including water scarcity, regulations around water, and drought—could constrain data center development.
• It isn’t the only tech company trying to assess how water scarcity might impact its business.
• Water use is emerging as one of the most contentious data center issues.
• A recent Gallup poll found that seven out of 10 Americans are opposed to data center development, with water scarcity ranking as the top resource concern.
• Facing increasingly fierce resistance, some tech companies are scrambling to assure the public that they’re facing the issue head-on.