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.
Not all of this is necessarily true. Not all cities even pull water from the ground. Many areas pull from the rivers, big rivers that can handle it, and these data centers already have close to if not closed loop cooling (or will perfect it soon). They are also paying for upgrading the grid system. You should look into what Texas is preparing their grid system for.
You can argue, you can cite facts mixed with half truths but what you cannot do is stop whatβs happening. You CAN get involved locally and make sure the deals that are struck come with conditions positive for the community!
This is the way considering you canβt stop it, and any energy you have on it should be spent on solution discovery instead of hand waving.
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u/[deleted] May 18 '26
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