India: Data centers boom as water supply runs low

The growing demand for data centers in India is putting a strain on water supplies in many regions, particularly those that are already water-stressed. Residents of Khora, a densely populated area near Ghaziabad, have long struggled with a limited water supply, relying on groundwater that requires extensive drilling. Now, with several data centers being built in the area, the demand for water to cool the servers has increased significantly.

Many of India's water-stressed regions, including Khora, are feeling the impact of this trend. While some families have moved away due to the lack of a reliable water connection, the situation remains dire, with no permanent solution in sight. The Central Ground Water Board has reported that the amount of water extracted is 272% of the recommended share.

Experts warn that the expansion of data centers, which require substantial cooling, could exacerbate local microclimate changes and increase the demand for air conditioning. Despite the growing concern, there is still a lack of comprehensive data on the water consumption of data centers across the country. The Indian government has promised an uninterrupted 24x7 water supply to data centers, but the effectiveness of this pledge remains unclear.