Data centers require massive volumes of water to operate, and the growing use of artificial intelligence means more of these centers are popping up in water-abundant regions such as the Great Lakes. However, despite their access to the vast bodies of water, not all communities in or near the Great Lakes basin have the capacity to sustainably support this industry, experts say.
A new Chicago Tribune article highlights how the rapid growth of data centers across the Great Lakes region could strain already finite water resources. Data centers use enormous volumes of water to keep servers cool, and the rise of artificial intelligence is accelerating their spread into water-abundant regions like the Great Lakes.
The article features insights from Center for Water Policy Director Melissa Scanlan, who underscores that while the Great Lakes are vast, they are not limitless: “Those of us who work in this space think of the Great Lakes more as a finite resource.”
Read the article here: Surging number of data centers around the Great Lakes could lead to water shortages, report says | Chicago Tribune
Read our report here: Inside ESG Reporting: Thirsty Data Centers Reveal Limits to Transparency | American Bar Association