Amazon has unveiled ambitious plans to significantly expand its water recycling initiatives, aiming to implement the practice at over 120 data centre locations across various U.S. states and counties by 2030. This strategic move is projected to conserve more than 530 million gallons of drinking-water supply annually, bolstering local communities and fostering a more sustainable cloud infrastructure.
The expansion is a crucial step in Amazon's commitment to achieving water positivity by 2030, a goal that seeks to return more water to communities than its direct operations consume. As of 2024, the company had already reached 53% of this objective. Water replenishment is also contributing to this global goal, such as through a flagship initiative in the Yamuna River watershed in India. In this country, Amazon has committed to returning more water than it uses in its direct operations by 2027.
"We are deeply committed to being good members of our communities, and doubling down on preserving freshwater resources is one of the ways we can demonstrate that,” stated Kevin Miller, vice president of global data centres for AWS. He further emphasized, “By significantly expanding our recycled-water infrastructure, we’re aiming to advance technological innovation while still prioritizing environmental stewardship.”
AWS, Amazon's cloud computing arm, has pioneered the use of recycled water in its data centres, notably in Virginia and California. Their collaboration with a local Virginia water utility marked a significant milestone, making AWS the first data centre operator in the state approved to utilize recycled water with direct evaporative cooling systems. This innovative approach has proven highly effective, reducing water usage by up to 85% compared to conventional cooling methods.
The expansion will extend these proven practices to more sites in Virginia, as well as new locations in Georgia and Mississippi, demonstrating a scalable model for responsible water management in the technology sector.
Howard Carter, president of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), lauded Amazon’s initiative, remarking, “AWS’ new initiative will support communities by easing pressure on local water systems while meeting the needs of the rapidly growing AI economy. As part of our strategy to advance the circular water economy, the Water Environment Federation encourages public-private collaboration to drive innovative water solutions. AWS’s commitment to recycled water exemplifies how the private sector can work with communities to build a more resilient water future.”
This bold commitment from Amazon underscores the growing importance of sustainable water management in the digital age, setting a precedent for environmental stewardship within the technology industry.
