Liquid Death’s recent marketing campaign, featuring former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce, humorously suggests using human urine to cool data centers. The ad, which features Kelce quipping, “AI data centers waste millions of gallons of water,” has sparked a conversation about alternative cooling methods. The commercial’s lighthearted approach has inadvertently highlighted real-world practices in data center cooling. According to Michael Obradovitch, vice president of Data Center Global Accounts at Ecolab, the commercial is funny but underscores the use of alternative water sources for cooling. These sources, including recycled water, help offset the demand for potable water in data centers. Recycled water is produced by treating wastewater and sewage, which can include human urine. Bruno Pigott, executive director of the WateReuse Association, explained that while urine itself isn’t used directly, it can be cleaned and repurposed for industrial use. The ad’s suggestion to use urine for cooling is not practical, as it contains salts, urea, and bacteria that could damage cooling systems. However, the concept has led to a broader discussion on the environmental impact of data centers and the need for sustainable cooling solutions. Source: techcrunch
Data centers in Loudoun County, Virginia, use about 200 million gallons of recycled water daily, but this accounts for only 43% of their total water usage. The remaining 57% comes from potable water supplies, highlighting the need for better infrastructure to support recycled water use. Dr. Greta Zornes, practice leader for water reuse at CDM Smith, noted that while recycled water is used for cooling, the infrastructure to support large-scale use is still underdeveloped. She emphasized that data centers require proximity to wastewater treatment facilities to access sufficient recycled water. This highlights the challenges in scaling up water reuse for industrial applications. Source: techcrunch
The environmental concerns surrounding data centers have become a mainstream issue, with a recent Gallup poll showing that about seven out of 10 Americans oppose data centers in their communities. The industry is exploring ways to reduce its environmental impact, including investing in wastewater infrastructure. Meta, for example, plans to invest at least $270 million in wastewater projects near its data centers. Additionally, Pigott is advocating for legislation that would provide a 30% tax credit to help industries scale their recycled water infrastructure. These efforts aim to address the growing demand for sustainable cooling solutions in data centers. Source: techcrunch
