UK government suggests deleting files to save water

The UK government has recommended that the public consider deleting old emails and photos to help conserve water during the ongoing drought. This suggestion is part of a broader effort by the National Drought Group to encourage water-saving measures, as reservoir levels have continued to fall due to increased water use and lack of rain. While there are larger steps that companies and policymakers can take to address the water crisis, the government believes that simple, everyday choices like turning off taps and deleting unused files can contribute to the collective effort. The proliferation of data centers, which use significant amounts of water for cooling and powering servers, is also a concern. The article notes that a small data center can use up to 25 million liters of water per year if relying on traditional cooling methods. Tech companies have been working to develop more water-efficient cooling techniques, such as submerging servers in liquid baths or placing data centers underwater. The UK has experienced four heatwaves this summer, leading to the driest six-month period since 1976. Five regions have declared a drought, and six others are experiencing prolonged dry weather. The National Drought Group says that public water-saving efforts have already made a difference, with a 20% drop in water demand in the Severn Trent area after "water-saving messaging."