Data centers could use recycled urine, but it's not as simple as peeing on servers

Liquid Death, a beverage company, sparked a humorous marketing campaign suggesting that human urine could be used to cool AI data centers. The idea, while funny, touches on a real-world solution that experts say is already being explored. Jason Kelce, a former Philadelphia Eagles player, appeared in a video promoting the concept, joking that urine could help reduce the massive water consumption of data centers. While the suggestion is not practical, it highlights the growing environmental concerns around data center cooling. Michael Obradovitch, vice president of Data Center Global Accounts at Ecolab, acknowledged the humor but noted that alternative water sources are already being used to mitigate the environmental impact of data centers. One such source is recycled water, which is treated wastewater and sewage. Human urine, a component of wastewater, can be cleaned and repurposed for industrial use, according to Bruno Pigott, executive director of the WateReuse Association. Pigott explained that while urine can be processed into potable water, it is not efficient at a large scale and would require significant infrastructure. Recycled water is already used for cooling in various industries, including data centers. Dr. Greta Zornes, a water reuse expert at CDM Smith, confirmed that data centers are increasingly adopting recycled water as part of their cooling strategies. However, the use of recycled water depends on the availability of wastewater treatment facilities. Zornes pointed out that many rural areas lack the necessary infrastructure to support large-scale data center operations. In Loudoun County, Virginia, which hosts over 250 data centers, recycled water accounts for only 43% of daily water usage, with the remaining 57% coming from potable sources. Obradovitch suggested that the AI industry could play a role in advancing water treatment infrastructure. He cited Meta’s investment of $270 million in wastewater projects near its data centers as an example. Pigott also advocated for policy changes, such as a 30% tax credit for industries using recycled water, to accelerate its adoption. While the Liquid Death campaign was intended as a joke, it has raised awareness about the environmental impact of data centers. Pigott acknowledged that even crude methods can help educate the public about water reuse. The campaign also reflects broader concerns about data center expansion, with a recent Gallup poll showing that 70% of Americans oppose data centers in their communities.