Debunking some common myths

Yes, data centers do use a lot of water, but they aren’t all the same. Some large facilities may use millions of gallons per day, while others use very little. Overall, all data centers in the U.S. account for less than 1% of total water use.

It’s also important to understand that not all the water they take in is fully “used up.” About 20–30% of the water used for cooling is returned as wastewater. While this water can’t be reused right away, it still goes back into the water cycle. The rest—typically around 70%—is lost through evaporation, which is what counts as actual water consumption.

That said, most modern data centers are moving away from older evaporative systems that rely heavily on water and air cooling. Instead, they are using newer liquid cooling systems with closed loops. These systems reuse the same liquid over and over, so they only need to add water occasionally, sometimes just a few times a year.

Learn more here: Myths about Water Consumption

 There is some truth to this statement, but the information is outdated. About 5–7 years ago, most data centers used cooling systems that relied on air and water in an open-loop setup. These systems cooled equipment through evaporation, which required constant refilling of water and led to high water use.

Today, many newer data centers have switched to more advanced cooling methods. They now use liquid cooling systems that run on a closed loop. Instead of water, these systems use special liquids like glycol or dielectric fluid. Because the system is closed, the liquid is reused and doesn’t evaporate, so it doesn’t need to be constantly replaced.

This newer approach is much more efficient and can reduce water usage by 70–90%, which is only about 600,000 gallons a year, which is a drastic reduction from 5,000,000.

Learn more here: About Closed Loop Systems

 There isn’t much evidence to support that claim. In fact, Loudoun County, Virginia—home to the largest and most concentrated data center market in the world—has consistently been ranked as one of the healthiest communities in the U.S. over the past decade, often placing in the top five according to U.S. News & World Report.

Learn more here: Loudon County's Health

If you consider a 2–3-year job that pays close to or over six figures to be “temporary,” then yes—but there’s more to the story.

Modern data centers aren’t just single buildings anymore. To keep up with the huge demand for computing power—especially for things like AI—they are now built as large campuses with multiple connected buildings. These campuses can take up to five years to fully build.

While each data center may only need a small number of IT workers to run it, there are many more jobs supporting the facility itself. This includes people who manage power, cooling systems, and operations—often adding 50 to 100 jobs per campus.

Another important part that’s often overlooked is the network of local companies that help maintain the data center after it’s built. These include services like cleaning, electrical work, mechanical repairs, and cable maintenance. Because these services need to respond quickly, they are usually provided by local businesses.

These companies perform regular maintenance—monthly, quarterly, and yearly—to keep everything running smoothly. As a result, data centers help support hundreds of local jobs throughout their entire lifespan.

Learn more here: About Staffing Levels