{"id":3023,"date":"2025-10-09T11:22:37","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T16:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/centerforwaterpolicy\/?p=3023"},"modified":"2026-03-19T14:15:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:15:42","slug":"rutgers-computer-and-technology-law-journal-published-powering-progress-or-peril-the-hidden-environmental-costs-of-data-centers-and-ai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/centerforwaterpolicy\/rutgers-computer-and-technology-law-journal-published-powering-progress-or-peril-the-hidden-environmental-costs-of-data-centers-and-ai\/","title":{"rendered":"Rutgers Computer and Technology Law Journal Published \u201cPowering Progress or Peril? The Hidden Environmental Costs of Data Centers and AI\u201d\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Data centers are rapidly developing across the country to meet demands for artificial intelligence, data storage, and cloud computing. But their environmental impact, especially regarding water use, is largely obscured from public view.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the subject of the Center for Water Policy\u2019s<\/a> recent article. Water Policy Specialist Peyton McCauley, Interim Assistant Director Cora Sutherland, and Director Melissa Scanlan investigate the environmental footprint of data centers. Some data centers use as much as one-quarter of local water supplies, which has raised alarm.  However, the industry\u2019s collective impact isn\u2019t transparent; incomplete government records, inconsistent voluntary reporting, and limited reporting requirements produce fragmented data.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, this published academic research sheds light on the hidden water use of our increasing reliance on AI-data centers and highlights the need for greater sustainability and transparency in the industry.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 
Quick Facts: What you need to know<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n