water use
Coverage of water use in the Nexus archive.
- 'A five-alarm fire': Western reservoirs that supply California fall to record low levels
The Colorado River's largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have reached record low levels, prompting researchers to urge immediate reductions in water usage. The decline highlights critical concerns over water supply in California.
- The best eco-friendly washing machines, according to Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports tested eco-friendly washing machines for efficiency and cleaning power. The article highlights that reducing water and energy use starts with choosing the right washer.
- Gallatin city leaders weigh moratorium on data centers
Gallatin city leaders are debating a proposed moratorium on new data centers to address concerns about water use, electricity demand, and community impact. Council Member Pascal Jouvence advocates for a pause to enable planning, while Mayor Paige Brown questions the need, citing the existing Facebook-powered data center's closed-loop water system and positive community experience.
- ‘A lot of red flags’: plans for New Zealand’s first datacentre spark concern as locals demand greater transparency
Plans for a NZ$3.5bn AI datacentre in Makarewa, New Zealand, have sparked local concerns over electricity and water usage, as well as potential noise pollution. The Singapore-based company Datagrid has secured approval for the project, with construction set to begin this year and operations expected by 2028.
- ‘A lot of red flags’: plans for New Zealand’s first datacentre spark concern as locals demand greater transparency
Plans for a NZ$3.5bn AI datacentre in Makarewa, New Zealand, have sparked local concerns over electricity and water use, as well as noise pollution. The Singapore-based company Datagrid has secured approval for the project, with construction set to begin this year and operations to start by 2028.
- Broomfield City Council considers temporary ban on new data center development
Broomfield City Council will vote on an 18-month moratorium on new data centers with at least 10 megawatts of power demand. The pause aims to study electricity demand, water use, infrastructure, and neighborhood impacts before new developments are approved. Existing facilities, including the 20-megawatt Chase data center, would not be affected.
- An AI data center suing for Colorado River water highlights a bigger question: Who should get the West's water?
An AI data center developer in California's Imperial Valley is suing for access to Colorado River water, arguing it would use water from fallowed farmland for cooling. The lawsuit challenges traditional agricultural water use, raising questions about redirecting water to tech industries amid drought and scarcity.
- Water joins energy as top AI flashpoint
Water use by AI infrastructure is emerging as a critical issue, with Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia addressing concerns through water replenishment, recycled water, and cooling technologies. Experts highlight both the reputational risks for tech companies and the need to address localized water impacts, while public opposition to data centers in the U.S. remains high due to energy and water use.
- AI is an energy and water hog, here's what you can do to counter that
AI and data centers consume significant energy and water, with companies lacking transparency. Experts advise using AI less frequently, avoiding simple tasks, and making concise queries to reduce environmental impact.
- Where legislatures lag, local officials are stopping data centers altogether
Local officials in Missouri suburbs are halting data center projects through bans and contentious measures as state legislatures struggle to regulate their rapid expansion. The growth of hyperscale data centers, driven by cloud computing and AI, has sparked public protests and debates over energy and water usage, with Missouri lawmakers proposing bills to address regulatory gaps.
- Utah man says his house now identifies as a DATA CENTER after lawmakers imposed draconian water use on locals while mulling AI facility that will consume vast quantities of H2O
A Utah man claims his house has been reclassified as a data center following lawmakers' strict water use policies on residents, while an AI facility is being considered that would consume large amounts of water. The situation highlights concerns over water allocation priorities.
- AI Uses Less Water Than the Public Thinks
The article discusses how AI development and operations consume significantly less water than commonly perceived, challenging misconceptions about its environmental impact. It references data from the California Water Blog and Hacker News comments to contextualize public concerns.