Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Data centers are often portrayed as constant water users, but Amazon says the reality is more nuanced. According to Will Hewes, Water Sustainability Lead for Amazon, most of the company's data centers use water-based cooling only during the hottest periods of the year, relying on outside air for cooling more than 90% of the time.
When temperatures spike, evaporative cooling systems use water to remove heat from servers. Hewes says that approach can reduce energy demand by 25% to 35% during peak periods, helping ease pressure on the electric grid when air conditioners and other cooling systems are already driving up power use.
The challenge is balancing two critical resources—water and energy. As data centers expand to support growing digital and AI demand, finding that balance is becoming one of the most important sustainability conversations in water.
Episode at youtu.be/FJxYGENMoJc?si=VAN0RA6F_jJJUiZX
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit waterloop.org
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#Amazon #DataCenters #Water #DataCenterCooling #WaterSustainability #CloudComputing #AIInfrastructure #WaterManagement #WaterEfficiency #Sustainability #DigitalInfrastructure #Technology #WaterStewardship #EnergyEfficiency #WaterNews
Data centers are often portrayed as constant water users, but Amazon says the reality is more nuanced. According to Will Hewes, Water Sustainability Lead for Amazon, most of the company's data centers use water-based cooling only during the hottest periods of the year, relying on outside air for cooling more than 90% of the time.
When temperatures spike, evaporative cooling systems use water to remove heat from servers. Hewes says that approach can reduce energy demand by 25% to 35% during peak periods, helping ease pressure on the electric grid when air conditioners and other cooling systems are already driving up power use.
The challenge is balancing two critical resources—water and energy. As data centers expand to support growing digital and AI demand, finding that balance is becoming one of the most important sustainability conversations in water.
Episode at youtu.be/FJxYGENMoJc?si=VAN0RA6F_jJJUiZX
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit waterloop.org
Subscribe to catch every video: youtube.com/@waterloop
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to waterloop:
🎧 Spotify:bit.ly/waterloopSpotify
🎧 Apple Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopApple
🎧 YouTube Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopYouTubePod
Follow waterloop for more stories on water sustainability:
🔹 Instagram:instagram.com/the_waterloop
🔹 LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/thewaterloop
#Amazon #DataCenters #Water #DataCenterCooling #WaterSustainability #CloudComputing #AIInfrastructure #WaterManagement #WaterEfficiency #Sustainability #DigitalInfrastructure #Technology #WaterStewardship #EnergyEfficiency #WaterNews
