Measure includes use of recycled water, air cooling and water risk analysis before construction of new units
This Wednesday (June 3, 2026) a plan to reduce water consumption in cooling its plants, including those used in AI (artificial intelligence) operations. The company wants to return more water than it consumes in these systems by 2030, initially in the United States.
The strategy has five fronts and includes investments in modernizing water supply and treatment networks in the regions where Google operates. Before installing new data centers, the company states that it evaluates the conditions of local watersheds to define the most appropriate type of cooling.
In areas with greater water risk, Google says it may replace the use of drinking water with alternatives, such as air cooling systems or recycled water. The company also says it considers the climate impact of energy consumption when choosing the technologies used in servers.
The plan foresees projects to recover water resources and improve water quality in the regions where the company operates. According to Google, the initiatives include environmental restoration actions, improvements in supply systems and reduction of losses in distribution networks.
The company reported that it should invest US$17 million (around R$86.1 million in direct conversion) in water management projects.
