India’s rapid expansion in the data center sector is encountering significant challenges related to water supply. With a growing demand for cooling systems, these facilities consume an alarming amount of water and energy, which puts immense pressure on local communities.
India’s Water Scarcity and Data Center Growth
Currently, India houses 18% of the world’s population but has access to only 4% of its water resources. This makes India one of the most water-stressed countries globally. According to projections, data center water consumption in India is expected to surge from 150 billion liters in 2025 to 358 billion liters by 2030.
Urban Concentration of Data Centers
Most data centers in India are situated in urban clusters such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. These cities already face significant water demands from various sectors, leading to fierce competition for limited water supplies.
Potential Risks and Concerns
- Local opposition may emerge due to increased water stress.
- Data centers could face operational challenges as water availability decreases.
- Industries relying on data services may experience disruptions.
Experts warn that the long-term viability of these centers is at high risk, especially if they lose licenses due to environmental concerns. Advocacy groups have already raised alarms about projects diverting public resources. For instance, a proposed data center by Google in Visakhapatnam is under scrutiny as the region deals with acute water stress.
Policy Gaps in Water Resource Management
Currently, existing policies in India do not adequately address water use in data center operations. Experts emphasize that this oversight poses a major risk to the industry. An upcoming S&P Global study predicts that between 60% and 80% of India’s data centers could face severe water scarcity this decade.
Innovative Solutions for Water Use
To mitigate these issues, experts advocate for the use of treated wastewater instead of relying on freshwater sources. There are successful examples of such innovations in places like Navi Mumbai, where industries collaborate with municipal authorities for sustainable practices.
Praveen Ramamurthy from the Indian Institute of Science suggests that utilizing non-potable water for cooling should be mandatory. He also supports the adoption of advanced zero-water cooling technologies, which remain underutilized in many legacy data centers across India.
Conclusion
As India navigates its data center expansion, addressing water supply challenges will be crucial. Stakeholders must prioritize innovative solutions to ensure sustainable growth while safeguarding local communities and essential resources.
