Two facilities of identical size can differ by orders of magnitude in annual water consumption. The variable is the cooling system, and it is chosen at design time.
Closed-loop liquid systems circulate a fixed volume of fluid and require only limited makeup water. Direct-to-chip liquid cooling, now common for high-density AI hardware, moves heat efficiently and pairs well with closed loops. Air-cooled designs use little water and more electricity. Hybrid systems switch modes based on outdoor conditions. Open evaporative cooling uses the least electricity and the most water.
The honest framing is a trade-off, not a solution. Cutting water use usually raises energy use. Communities are entitled to see both numbers for the specific design proposed on their site.
The practical ask for any local official is simple: put the projected annual withdrawal and consumption figures, and the cooling technology, in writing before the vote — and require annual reporting of actuals afterward.
This briefing is written by Kentucky For Data Centers. Primary documents and third-party studies referenced in our work are listed on the research page.