Amazon Reveals Water Usage Data for Its Data Centers: 9.5 Billion Liters Annually
Photo: The Verge
Quick answer
Amazon has revealed its data centers' water usage for the first time: 2.5 billion gallons in 2025, with an efficiency rate of 0.12 liters per kWh.
Amazon has released its first-ever report on water consumption by its global data centers, revealing that its infrastructure used 2.5 billion gallons (approximately 9.5 billion liters) of water in 2025. This translates to 0.12 liters per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed. Despite expanding its capacity, the company achieved a 2% reduction in water usage compared to the previous year.
The report highlights that 90% of Amazon’s data centers rely on air cooling, with evaporative cooling reserved for extreme heat. The company has also increased acceptable temperature thresholds for server equipment, further reducing water dependency. Amazon claims its infrastructure is seven times more efficient than industry averages, citing a 2024 peer-reviewed study.
When comparing itself to competitors, Amazon states its water usage per kWh is lower than Microsoft, Google, and Meta*. However, the report does not account for indirect water consumption, such as at power plants supplying energy to data centers or during the construction of new facilities. These disclosures come as public scrutiny intensifies over the environmental impact of IT infrastructure, particularly with the rise of AI and cloud services.
* Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other Meta services are owned by Meta Platforms Inc., an organization designated as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation.
Common questions
- Why is data center water consumption a concern?
- Data centers require vast amounts of water for cooling, straining local resources—especially in water-scarce regions. Critics highlight environmental risks and the need for efficiency improvements.
- How is Amazon reducing water usage?
- The company relies on air cooling for 90% of its data centers and switches to evaporative cooling only during peak heat. It also increases server heat tolerance to minimize water needs.
- How do Amazon’s figures compare to competitors?
- Amazon’s water usage per kWh is reportedly lower than Microsoft, Google, and Meta*. However, the report excludes indirect water use, such as at power plants supplying energy to data centers.
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