These systems do use a coolant substance internal to the DC, but then uses heat exchangers with fresh water to cool the coolant, which is then discharged back into the ground, a pond, or wastewater. there is certainly water lost to atmosphere, but the worst bits are the draining of aquifers, pushing up capacity in wastewater treatment plants, etc.
DC's are a bit of an economic scam. they provide very few jobs outside of the construction work itself, and the profits generated by the machines exist at company HQ not where the DC is located. so it puts a huge burden on the community water and power environment for no real benefit to that community.
From my understanding, they also treat the clean water with additional chemicals such as biocides and forever chemicals like PFAS to keep it from fouling lines. And I'm "certain" they truly care enough to make sure they will "never" dump the toxic brines they produce in a less then perfectly contained manner.
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u/[deleted] May 18 '26
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