The peak usage data is rarely disclosed, and the water footprint of AI-driven data centers is frequently underreported. How Data Center Design Affects Water UsageData center designs play a significant role in the determination of water consumption. These design choices directly affect the strain placed on local water infrastructure. Peak water demand matters because water systems must be built to handle the highest single-day usage — even if that level of demand occurs only a few times a year. In Newton County, Georgia, for example, peak water consumption from existing data centers costs local water systems roughly $10 million annually .