The Impact of Amazon’s Data Centers on Water Usage: A Closer Look at 2.5 Billion Gallons Used in a Year

Amazon Reveals Water Usage in Data Centers Amid Environmental Concerns

In response to growing environmental concerns, Amazon recently disclosed the amount of water its data centers consume, marking a significant step towards transparency in the tech industry. Following a one-year data center moratorium in Seattle, which was advocated for by some of Amazon’s own employees, the tech giant revealed that its global data center operations utilized 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025. This water consumption equated to a rate of 0.12 liters per kilowatt-hour of electricity, showcasing a 2% decrease from the previous year despite operational expansions.

Efficient Water Usage Compared to Competitors

Amazon asserted that it is utilizing water more efficiently than several of its Big Tech counterparts. A comparison presented in Amazon’s report highlighted that Microsoft, Google, and Meta have all used more water per kilowatt-hour of electricity in recent years than Amazon.

Insights into Water Usage Practices

While Google emerged as the top water consumer among the tech giants, it’s important to note that the data cited specifically focused on Gemini AI data centers. In contrast, Amazon’s water consumption data encompasses all of its data center operations. However, Amazon’s disclosure does not factor in indirect water usage associated with the power plants that supply electricity to its data centers, nor does it account for water consumption during new data center construction.

Sustainable Cooling Practices

Amazon highlighted its commitment to sustainable practices by stating that its data centers predominantly utilize air cooling, resorting to evaporative water cooling only during extreme heat conditions. Additionally, Amazon has raised the heat tolerance levels of its servers to optimize efficiency. The company claims that its data centers are seven times more water-efficient than the industry average, as supported by findings from a peer-reviewed research paper published last year.