Amazon Discloses Data Center Water Usage for First Time Amid AI Infrastructure Debate
Amazon has disclosed for the first time that its global data center operations consumed 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025. The company reported a water usage efficiency rate of 0.12 liters per kilowatt-hour of electricity, representing a 2% decrease from its 2024 total even as it expanded operations.
The disclosure comes shortly after Seattle enacted a one-year data center moratorium, a measure that some of Amazon's own employees had advocated for. The timing of the announcement suggests a response to growing public scrutiny over the environmental footprint of data center construction, particularly as AI infrastructure demands continue to rise.
Amazon noted in its report that its water efficiency compares favorably to some other major technology companies, though specific comparisons were not detailed in the available reporting. The company has faced increasing questions about both water and energy consumption as it scales its cloud computing and AI services.
The disclosure reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are under growing pressure to be more transparent about resource usage tied to data center operations. Water consumption has become an increasingly sensitive topic in regions experiencing drought conditions, where data centers compete with municipal water needs.