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- AWS has reached 53% of its target to return more water than it consumes by 2030, up from 41% in 2023.
- Expansion of recycled water use to over 120 U.S. data center locations aims to save 530 million gallons of drinking water by 2030.
- Innovative water recycling combined with evaporative cooling reduces water use by up to 85% compared to traditional methods.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced it is more than halfway toward its 2030 water positive goal, returning more water to communities than it consumes in its operations. As of 2024, AWS has achieved 53% progress toward this target, an increase from 41% at the end of 2023.
The water positive initiative, launched in 2022, focuses on enhancing water efficiency, sourcing sustainable water, enabling community water reuse, and supporting replenishment projects. Water is critical for AWS, primarily to cool its data centers, but growing scarcity—driven by climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure—makes conservation essential.
A key driver of AWS’s progress is the expansion of its water recycling program. By 2030, AWS plans to implement recycled water cooling at over 120 U.S. data center locations. This system reroutes treated wastewater from communities to cool data center equipment, reducing reliance on fresh potable water.
Previously used in Virginia and California, the program will extend to more sites in Virginia, plus new locations in Georgia and Mississippi. AWS estimates this will conserve more than 530 million gallons of drinking water annually by 2030.
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Kevin Miller, Vice President of Global Data Centers for AWS, emphasized the company’s commitment:
“We are deeply committed to being good members of our communities, and doubling down on preserving freshwater resources is one of the ways we can demonstrate that. By significantly expanding our recycled-water infrastructure, we’re aiming to advance technological innovation while still prioritizing environmental stewardship.”
Additionally, AWS notes that integrating recycled water with direct evaporative cooling cuts water use by up to 85% compared to conventional cooling methods, highlighting the effectiveness of this innovative approach.
For executives and investors focused on ESG commitments, AWS’s progress demonstrates how technological innovation can align with sustainable resource management, supporting long-term operational resilience and community impact.
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