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AI data centres\' water use surges, topping California cities\' supply in 7 U.S. states

Data centres in seven major U.S. states may withdraw more freshwater each year than the total urban water supply used across California’s cities when cooling and power generation are included, an analysis showed. Non-profit think tank Ceres estimated annual withdrawals of about 10.4 million acre-feet. The report cautioned the figure measures withdrawals, not water ultimately consumed. Ceres also projected power generation could account for 72 percent of data centre water consumption by 2030.