Data centers are popping up around the United States, and in more arid areas like Colorado, experts say the huge complexes should come with a warning label when it comes to water use. … The boom in data centers is already raising concerns about ripple effects in other industries, including agriculture which is the largest water user in Colorado. … On-site water use at data centers in five Western states — Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah — might grow by about 21,600 acre-feet by 2035. But if you count off-site water use by power plants, a data center’s total water use balloons to over 89,700 by 3025.

Other data center water use news:

• Utah Public Radio: AI data centers in Utah may have to publicly disclose their water use​
• Los Angeles Times: This L.A. startup uses SpaceX tech to cool data centers with less power and no water