Google: Can Water Conservation Slash Tech Firms' Energy Use?

In the age of AI, water and energy consumption have become intrinsically linked. 

It has been proven that data centres fitted with water-based cooling systems are around 10% more energy efficient than air-based systems, which are found across 80% of the world's digital infrastructure, according to Data Centre Dynamics.

Google, one of the world's largest hyperscalers, understands this. As such, the US-based tech giant has been investing in water conservation projects for many years.

Just recently Google announced a new funding package of US$17m for water replenishment projects across the US, alongside five new water sustainability commitments.

Among these is Google's commitment to making its water consumption net positive (i.e. replacing more water than it uses) by 2030. All in, the firm is looking to replenish 120% of the water its data centres consume.

With the the company's data centre footprint growing at a staggering rate, this renewed push to conserve water, and thereby energy, will be crucial if it intends to achieve its ambitious net zero goals.

Aligning water use with energy efficiency

At the core of the announcement is a five-part framework aimed at managing water resources while supporting lower-energy operations. Central to this is the goal of achieving net-positive water replenishment by 2030.

In 2025, Google restored more than seven billion gallons of water to local systems, roughly equivalent to the yearly usage of 70,000 average US households.

The company currently supports 165 projects spanning 97 watersheds. Once fully scaled, these initiatives are expected to replenish over 19 billion gallons annually by 2030.

This would exceed more than double Google’s 2024 water consumption, while supporting both ecosystem health and the long-term viability of energy-efficient cooling systems.

More than US$500m has already been directed towards water, wastewater and reuse infrastructure. These investments help utilities improve system performance, reduce losses and support reliable supply for energy-intensive facilities.

A data-led assessment model guides site development. In areas facing higher water stress, Google may prioritise air cooling or recycled water to limit impact while maintaining operational efficiency.

The approach also includes annual disclosure of water usage and continued development of alternative cooling methods, including a project in Douglas County, Georgia, where treated wastewater is reused in data centre operations.

Google's targeted investments across key regions

To support near-term progress, Google is allocating US$17m across seven US states, funding projects that strengthen both environmental systems and infrastructure resilience linked to energy use.

In Georgia, Ducks Unlimited will enhance wetlands in the Flint River Wildlife Management Area. In Iowa, collaboration with the Great Outdoors Foundation and the state’s agriculture department will help convert 5,000 acres into perennial systems, reducing fertiliser demand and improving water quality.

Additional projects span Michigan and Minnesota, where the Huron River Watershed Council will expand green infrastructure and the Trust for Public Land will restore 84 acres of floodplain forest along the Zumbro River. In Missouri, a 98-acre wetland restoration near the Blue River will be delivered with Bridging the Gap and the Heartland Conservation Alliance.

Infrastructure efficiency is also a focus. Nebraska will see investment in leak detection for Omaha’s water network, while the Texas Water Impact Fund will receive support to improve community access and system reliability.

Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, writes on LinkedIn: “As we expand the digital infrastructure powering everything from online banking to healthcare systems, how we build is just as important as what we build.

“Water is a critical component of data centre development and operations. Because data centres generate heat from the servers and chips that power the digital world, they often rely on water to cut back on energy use for cooling.

“We hear the public's concerns around environmental impacts and affordability. Through our water stewardship commitments, we will continue to be responsible and transparent in our water use and minimise our local impacts to protect the long-term health of the watersheds in communities we call home.”

How Google identifies high-quality sustainability projects

Looking ahead, Google is reviewing more than 700 submissions from its Water Replenishment Projects Request for Information, signalling a growing pipeline of solutions that link water stewardship with energy optimisation.

These proposals include engineered efficiency technologies, nature-based approaches that support the hydrological cycle and agricultural practices aimed at reducing water demand while enhancing soil performance.

Further updates are expected as projects move into implementation, reinforcing water strategy as a foundational element of energy-efficient digital infrastructure.