Data Hunger 💧: Water vs. Tech in India 💔

THE WATER CRISIS IN KHORA: A CASE STUDY
The rapidly expanding data center industry in India is exacerbating existing water scarcity issues, particularly in regions like Khora, just outside New Delhi. Residents of Khora have long faced a critical shortage of reliable water, relying on deep groundwater extraction – digging up to 1,200 feet to access it. The arrival of several data centers has dramatically increased water demand for server cooling, further straining the already depleted aquifer.

INDIA’S DATA CENTER BOOM AND WATER STRESS
More than 300 data centers are currently operating in India, a significant increase fueled by the country’s growing AI infrastructure ambitions. This expansion is placing immense pressure on India’s water resources, particularly in water-stressed regions. A recent World Resources Institute (WRI) India report highlighted that over half of India’s data centers are located in areas experiencing water scarcity, with Ghaziabad, where Khora is situated, being a prime example of overexploited groundwater.

THE IMPACT ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES
The situation in Khora is dire, with water extraction exceeding recommended levels by over 270%. Residents, like Naeemuddin Saifi, pay between 1,000 and 1,200 rupees ($10.50 - $12.50) monthly for a shared borewell connection, but acknowledge the inherent instability of the water supply. Many families have been forced to relocate due to the declining water table, leaving residents like Deepak Joshi struggling to secure a permanent solution for the community’s water needs.

URBANIZATION, DATA CENTERS, AND MICROCLIMATE
The rapid urbanization of the Ghaziabad and Noida region, combined with the demands of data centers for cooling, is creating a complex environmental challenge. Ranjana Ray Chaudhuri, of TERI University, explained that the heat expelled by cooling systems can negatively affect the local microclimate, potentially increasing demand for air conditioning in surrounding buildings. This creates a feedback loop, further amplifying water consumption.

STATE INITIATIVES AND LACK OF REGULATION
In 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government officially called off a long-planned project to reroute Ganges water to Khora, and an alternative water project was proposed but never fully implemented. The AdaniConnex data center, a joint venture between Adani Group and EdgeConneX, stands as a stark symbol of this development, demanding significant water resources. Despite promises of an “uninterrupted 24x7” water supply, residents report a lack of updates on the alternative solution.

REGULATORY GAPS AND THE NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY
Gayatri Naik, of the National Law School of India University, criticizes India’s fragmented regulatory approach to data center water usage. While companies are required to obtain no-objection certificates for groundwater extraction, there is no mandatory reporting of consumption figures. Comparing India’s approach to the EU’s stringent disclosure requirements, Naik argues that transparency is crucial, advocating for annual reporting of water sources and recycling rates for data centers exceeding 500 kW of IT power.

CALLS FOR EFFICIENCY AND PRIORITIZATION
Aggarwal, a CEEW activist, emphasizes the need for phased efficiency standards for water and power, and for decision-makers to consider water availability alongside infrastructure development. He highlights the danger of multiple facilities sharing a single aquifer, exacerbating the problem. Ultimately, he stresses the importance of addressing the broader question of water allocation – balancing the needs of a growing population with the demands of a burgeoning data center industry, recognizing the potential for social and distributive injustice when water resources are depleted.