Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The impact of data centers is currently one of the most discussed issues in water. In this episode, Will Hewes, Water Sustainability Lead for Amazon, shares how one of the world's largest data center operators is managing water use, responding to growing public scrutiny, and working to reduce its impact on local water resources.
Hewes discusses Amazon's newly released water report, which details company-wide water use, reports a 52% improvement in water efficiency over four years, and shows progress toward its goal of becoming water positive by 2030, with the company now 75% of the way there. He explains Amazon's investments in recycled water infrastructure, including a plan to expand the use of reclaimed water from 26 facilities to 130, supported by more than $1 billion in infrastructure funding.
The discussion also explores water replenishment projects ranging from leak reduction in Mexico City's water system to affordable housing water-efficiency programs in Northern Virginia. Hewes shares how local water assessments, utility partnerships, and watershed-specific strategies shape decisions about data center development and operations.
It's an inside look at how one of the world's largest technology companies is approaching the challenge of balancing digital growth with long-term water stewardship.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction: The Data Center Water Debate
01:11 How Amazon Data Centers Use Water for Cooling
02:48 Do Data Centers Use Water All Year?
04:35 What Happens to Data Center Wastewater?
05:42 Misconceptions About Data Center Water Use
06:22 Amazon's New Water Report and Water Efficiency Data
09:32 How Amazon Monitors Data Center Water Use
10:42 The Industry Shift Toward Water Positive Goals
14:30 How Amazon Evaluates Water Risk Before Building Data Centers
17:23 Working with Local Water Utilities
19:42 Amazon's Water Replenishment Project in Mexico City
22:45 Affordable Housing Water Savings in Northern Virginia
25:50 Amazon's Water Positive Strategy and 2030 Goal
27:58 Transparency, Public Trust, and the Future of Data Center Water Use
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit waterloop.org
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#Amazon #DataCenters #Water #ai #WaterSustainability #WaterManagement #WaterStewardship #CloudComputing #AIInfrastructure #WaterPositive #WaterReuse #RecycledWater #DataCenterCooling #WaterEfficiency #Sustainability #DigitalInfrastructure
The impact of data centers is currently one of the most discussed issues in water. In this episode, Will Hewes, Water Sustainability Lead for Amazon, shares how one of the world's largest data center operators is managing water use, responding to growing public scrutiny, and working to reduce its impact on local water resources.
Hewes discusses Amazon's newly released water report, which details company-wide water use, reports a 52% improvement in water efficiency over four years, and shows progress toward its goal of becoming water positive by 2030, with the company now 75% of the way there. He explains Amazon's investments in recycled water infrastructure, including a plan to expand the use of reclaimed water from 26 facilities to 130, supported by more than $1 billion in infrastructure funding.
The discussion also explores water replenishment projects ranging from leak reduction in Mexico City's water system to affordable housing water-efficiency programs in Northern Virginia. Hewes shares how local water assessments, utility partnerships, and watershed-specific strategies shape decisions about data center development and operations.
It's an inside look at how one of the world's largest technology companies is approaching the challenge of balancing digital growth with long-term water stewardship.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction: The Data Center Water Debate
01:11 How Amazon Data Centers Use Water for Cooling
02:48 Do Data Centers Use Water All Year?
04:35 What Happens to Data Center Wastewater?
05:42 Misconceptions About Data Center Water Use
06:22 Amazon's New Water Report and Water Efficiency Data
09:32 How Amazon Monitors Data Center Water Use
10:42 The Industry Shift Toward Water Positive Goals
14:30 How Amazon Evaluates Water Risk Before Building Data Centers
17:23 Working with Local Water Utilities
19:42 Amazon's Water Replenishment Project in Mexico City
22:45 Affordable Housing Water Savings in Northern Virginia
25:50 Amazon's Water Positive Strategy and 2030 Goal
27:58 Transparency, Public Trust, and the Future of Data Center Water Use
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 #ai #WaterSustainability #WaterManagement #WaterStewardship #CloudComputing #AIInfrastructure #WaterPositive #WaterReuse #RecycledWater #DataCenterCooling #WaterEfficiency #Sustainability #DigitalInfrastructure
