Britain isn't considering datacenters' thirst for water in its 'AI superpower' ambitions

The UK government's plan to become an AI superpower overlooks the significant water demands of datacenters, risking competition with residential and commercial water needs, especially in drought-prone regions. Water UK warns that current forecasts exclude datacenter usage, hindering infrastructure planning and potentially blocking housing and business projects. The organization calls for new water infrastructure, efficiency standards, and non-potable water use to address growing consumption.