Amazon’s data centers used 2.5 billion gallons of water last year
2.5 billion gallons. Amazon just disclosed its data center water footprint—and it's becoming THE regulatory flashpoint for AI infrastructure.
Why it matters
Water consumption is emerging as a critical constraint on AI data center expansion, shaping regulatory policy and competitive positioning. Amazon's disclosure signals that sustainability metrics are now board-level concerns for infrastructure leaders.
The key facts
11 to knowAmazon data centers consumed 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025
Water consumption rate: 0.12 liters per kilowatt-hour of electricity
2% reduction from 2024 despite operational expansion
Seattle enacted one-year data center moratorium (employee-backed)
Water consumption now central to AI data center construction debates
First public disclosure of Amazon's global data center water use
Water efficiency: 0.12 liters per kilowatt-hour of electricity
2% reduction in water consumption year-over-year despite operational expansion
Seattle enacted one-year data center moratorium with support from Amazon employees
First public disclosure of Amazon's global data center water consumption
Water consumption and energy use are focal points in new AI data center construction debates
Go to the source
The Verge AItheverge.com
Publisher excerpt: Just after Seattle enacted a one-year data center moratorium that some of Amazon's own employees pushed for, Amazon shared how much water its data centers use, reportedly for the first time. With concerns about water consumption and energy use a focus of new AI data center construction debates,…