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

Scottish data centres are increasingly relying on tap water to power their operations, particularly for cooling purposes. According to recent data, the volume of tap water used by these facilities has quadrupled since 2021, now amounting to enough water to fill 27 million bottles per year. This rapid increase in water consumption highlights the growing environmental impact of the technology industry in Scotland. Data centres, which house the servers and infrastructure that power various digital services, require significant amounts of water to maintain optimal operating temperatures. The surge in water usage by Scottish data centres raises concerns about the sustainability of this trend, especially in the face of potential water scarcity issues. Experts suggest that the industry should explore alternative cooling solutions, such as using recycled water or adopting more efficient technologies, to mitigate the environmental impact. As the demand for digital services continues to grow, the need for a more sustainable approach to data centre operations has become increasingly important, both in Scotland and globally.