Most new AI data centers in the United States will be built where water is already scarce.
The latest analysis shows that 534 of the 809 AI‑focused data center projects slated for construction this decade are located in regions recorded as being in drought over the past 12 months. The figure comes from a review of permitting data and climate reports, which matched project sites to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The remaining third fall in areas with normal or above‑average precipitation.
This matters because data centers consume large volumes of water for cooling. Placing them in drought zones could strain already limited supplies and force operators to rely on more energy‑intensive cooling methods. Regulators and local communities may push back, potentially delaying builds or prompting stricter water‑usage permits.
If the trend continues, the industry could face a paradox: the same AI workloads that promise efficiency may end up demanding more water in the places that can least afford it.