UK LACKS WATER FOR AI DATACENTRE BOOM, WARNS INDUSTRY

Datacentres require substantial water volumes to cool servers and manage heat from densely packed equipment. Cooling towers, chillers, and humidification systems consume water directly, while indirect consumption through power generation adds further pressure. The warning comes as the government pushes AI infrastructure development as a growth priority. However, water companies say no infrastructure plans exist to meet the sector's demands. Datacentre operators face competing water needs across the UK, where supply constraints already affect agriculture, industry, and households during dry periods. The water industry's position suggests either datacentre growth must slow or water infrastructure requires substantial investment. The criticism highlights a gap between the government's AI ambitions and infrastructure readiness. Without addressing water supply, the sector's expansion could face regulatory blocks or operational restrictions during peak demand periods.