The Great Lakes Could Be At Risk Due To Data Centers Powering AI, Study Warns

The Alliance for the Great Lakes warns that data centers supporting artificial intelligence are straining Lake Michigan and other freshwater systems, risking water shortages. These facilities require an estimated 365 million gallons of water annually, equivalent to the consumption of 12,000 Americans. Helena Volzer, the report's author, stresses that regulation is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the Great Lakes, which supply drinking water to over 40 million residents. Currently, these lakes are replenished at a slow rate, with only 1% of their volume refreshed through precipitation. As global demand for data centers is expected to triple by 2030, the situation could worsen without proactive measures.

Data centers in the U. S. are projected to consume 150 billion gallons of water over the next five years. The common cooling method used in these centers leads to significant water evaporation, exacerbating the issue. Volzer calls for transparency in municipal water usage tracking to better manage this critical resource.