Amazon disclosed that its global data‑center operations withdrew about 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025, a figure that slipped 2 % from 2024 despite a broader expansion of its footprint. The company framed the drop as a win for its green‑energy agenda and a response to intensely rising scrutiny over AI‑driven cooling.

Amazon measured its water intensity at 0.12 liters per kilowatt‑hour of electricity in 2025, beating the industry average in the US globally. The metric signals tighter cooling loops and smarter fan use, and it shows the firm can scale capacity while trimming environmental footprints.

Some Amazon sites now draw treated wastewater instead of potable water, a shift that aligns with congressional and EPA calls for sustainable cooling. The firm also plans to return more water to communities than its direct operations consume by decade’s end.

Data centers rely on water mainly for server cooling; Amazon reports it uses outside air for cooling about 90 % of the time and switches to evaporative cooling during peak heat. The company’s strategy places it ahead of peers who still depend heavily on potable water.