💧 How Much Water Do Google's Data Centers Consume Every Year?

What We’re Showing

This map ranks Google's data centers by the gallons of water consumed in 2023. Data was sourced from Google’s 2024 Environment Report.

Key Takeaways

• Google’s data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa consumed nearly 1 billion gallons of water in 2023. This is the most by any single complex listed in their report. All of that water was reportedly potable (i.e. safe for drinking)
• Together all of Google’s data centers used more than 6 billion gallons of water in 2023, the equivalent of 41 golf courses

Why Do Data Centers Need Water?

Computer servers generate heat that must be dissipated to maintain performance. Water is used in chiller plants, evaporative cooling systems, and humidification to manage temperature levels.