AWS Debunks Data Center Water Usage Claims

AWS CEO Matt Garman has responded to criticism of data centers, citing four main points of contention: water usage, electricity costs, air pollution from backup generators, and local tax benefits. Garman argues that these claims are ‘misconceptions’ and that the industry needs to work with governments to develop long-term infrastructure for energy and economic security.

Garman notes that data centers use significantly less water than other industries, with water usage accounting for only 0.5% of industrial water usage in the US. He cites a study that found data centers use less water than golf courses or almond farms, with a single golf course in the US using more water than all of Amazon’s data centers combined.

AWS has worked with utility companies to support budgets for building new transmission lines, substations, and upgrading the grid, which will help stabilize or lower electricity costs for residents in the future.