What’s the problem with AI server farms? The question should be, how can we solve the many problems created by the growing number of AI server farms? Also known as AI datacenters, they can span across several hundreds of acres of land with a daily power consumption exceeding 1000 MW. To put this in perspective, the typical data center consumes 10 to 20 MW of power daily. They are housed in single-story warehouses that take up 50,000 to 150,000 square feet of space. 

AI server farms are having a negative impact on communities for several reasons. The noise pollution that results is never-ending and proven to cause mental and physical health issues for nearby residents. Electric bills are increasing across the country because utilities can’t keep up with the demand and must fund new infrastructure. One of the worst problems facing communities because of AI server farms is the increase in water usage. These mega data centers can consume as much as 5 million gallons of water each day! 

It’s understandable that AI farms need water for direct cooling purposes and electricity generation. Yet they’re taking surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water and reducing the supply available to area farms, businesses, schools, hospitals, and homes. On a positive note, the tech industry has been making changes to offset water usage at server farms. In the meantime, communities in drought-prone regions of our country are facing critical water shortages and nearby AI server farms are compounding the problem.