The increasing number of data centers is also increasing the need for new, efficient technologies to prevent overheating in these facilities. To achieve this maintenance goal while conserving power as well as water, Amazon currently uses recycled water to cool two dozen locations globally and now plans to tap recycled water to cool more than 120 U.S. data centers by 2030. According to the company, this will save more than 530 million gallons of freshwater annually.

Data centers equipped with evaporative cooling systems rely on outside air for 95% of the time to keep computer servers, networking gear and other equipment from overheating. When the temperature rises, the cooling system intervenes, pulling hot air through water-soaked pads where it evaporates. The cooled air is then piped into the server halls.

Amazon has posted a 40% improvement in its water use efficiency over the past three years and is 53% of the way toward achieving its goal of being water positive by replenishing more clean water than it uses. The recycled water typically sourced from sewage plants and has been treated but is not potable.

Efforts are also underway to refine data center design and curb water use. This includes maximizing atmospheric moisture by optimizing the material through which air flows, and dynamic modeling of the airflow within data centers for improved cooling.