The Urine Solution: How Data Centers Are Turning Waste into Water

The recent campaign by Liquid Death has brought attention to the staggering amount of water consumed by data centers, with former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce joking that we “pee on computers together.” This tongue-in-cheek suggestion highlights a pressing issue in the tech industry: the environmental impact of these massive operations.

Data centers require significant quantities of water to prevent servers from overheating. In areas like Loudoun County, Virginia, this demand is straining local potable water supplies. According to Zornes, practice leader for water reuse at CDM Smith, data centers collectively used over 200 million gallons of recycled water each day as of 2025, but this only accounts for 43% of daily data center water usage in the area.

The problem is not just a matter of scaling up existing infrastructure; it’s about building out new systems that can treat millions of gallons of water every day. Pigott, executive director of the WateReuse Association, advocates for legislation providing tax credits to help industries scale their recycled water infrastructure, which could greatly accelerate innovation in this area.

Wastewater treatment facilities play a crucial role in data center sustainability. These facilities use advanced technologies like membrane bioreactors and reverse osmosis to treat water until it’s clean enough for industrial use, including cooling large operations like data centers. However, these facilities need to be sizable enough to meet the demands of massive data centers.

As data centers continue to sprout up in rural areas, this becomes an increasingly pressing issue. Loudoun County, with its 250+ data centers, is a prime example. Zornes notes that local wastewater treatment plants simply can’t keep up with the demand – and it’s not just about building new infrastructure; it’s also about creating policies that support water reuse.

The AI industry has a unique opportunity to drive resources toward building out this kind of infrastructure. Companies like Meta are already investing in wastewater infrastructure projects near their data centers, demonstrating that it’s possible for the tech sector to be a driving force behind sustainability initiatives.

However, we’re not just talking about scaling up existing solutions; we’re also talking about rethinking our entire approach to water management. With water reuse technology becoming increasingly prevalent in industries beyond data centers – like agriculture and manufacturing – policymakers need to take a closer look at incentivizing innovation in this space.

Pigott’s proposed tax credit legislation is one step towards accelerating progress. As the conversation around water reuse continues, it’s clear that we need a more integrated approach that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to drive real change.

The Liquid Death campaign may have started as a joke, but it’s sparked an important conversation about the future of water management. As data centers continue to expand their operations, they’ll need to do more than just rely on recycled water – they’ll need to be anchors for sustainable infrastructure development. The clock is ticking; it’s time for action.