Water UK has warned that the UK government is not giving enough attention to the water needs of data centres, even as it pushes for a major expansion of digital infrastructure. The concern centres on the fact that many data centres rely on water to help cool their systems, meaning any large increase in capacity could also drive up pressure on water supplies.
The warning comes as UK plans call for data centre capacity to be trebled by 2030. While public discussion around data centres often focuses on electricity demand, the industry group argues that water use also needs to be treated as a serious planning issue. In its view, growth targets risk overlooking a key resource that supports day-to-day operations at many sites.
Water UK also highlighted that average daily water consumption figures can give an incomplete picture of the challenge. During periods of stress, peak demand may be far higher than the average suggests, which can create problems for local networks and long-term resource planning. That makes the timing and intensity of water use just as important as headline consumption totals.
The broader message is that expansion of UK data centres will require closer coordination between technology policy and water infrastructure planning. If capacity rises quickly without matching attention to cooling needs and peak demand, the country could face tougher questions about how to balance digital growth with essential resource management.
