Key facts
- AI data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily.
- Indirect water usage for energy production can significantly increase data center water footprints.
- The Permian Basin produces about 790 million gallons of wastewater per day.
- Researchers suggest using treated wastewater could solve disposal issues for the oil and gas sector.
The rapid expansion of AI data centers is creating significant demand for water and energy resources. A new study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that wastewater from the oil and gas industry, particularly from the Permian Basin, could be a sustainable source for cooling these facilities. Researchers modeled desalination methods, finding reverse osmosis to be the most energy-efficient, though it faces challenges with highly saline water. Another method involves heating water into vapor, which is more energy-intensive but viable. The Permian Basin alone generates approximately 790 million gallons of wastewater daily, presenting a disposal challenge that could be addressed by treating it for data center use. This approach could alleviate pressure on freshwater resources and solve a waste disposal problem for the fossil fuel sector.