Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled plans to utilize treated sewage water for cooling at its future data centers across India, a strategic move to reduce reliance on potable water. This initiative is part of AWS's broader commitment to sustainable infrastructure as it expands its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) footprint in the country.
A Shift Towards Sustainable Cooling
Currently, AWS's operational data centers in India employ air-cooled chillers, which do not consume water for cooling purposes. Potable water usage is primarily limited to employee facilities and maintenance. However, for any new facilities requiring water-based cooling systems, AWS will integrate treated sewage water.
Anurag Khilnani, Director, Data Centre Delivery APAC at AWS, emphasized that sustainable infrastructure is central to their design principles. He noted that globally, AWS infrastructure is significantly more energy and water efficient than conventional on-premise alternatives. The company's decision to use recycled sewage water in India aligns with the nation's framework for safe reuse of treated water.
Water Stewardship and Investment
AWS intends to implement this water-efficient cooling method at some of its upcoming facilities in key Indian cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad. The company highlighted its accelerated progress in water stewardship, achieving its 2027 water positivity target in India ahead of schedule by returning 120 percent of the water consumed across its direct operations to local communities in 2025.
Further demonstrating its commitment, AWS is investing over ₹62 crore in various water stewardship projects across India. These initiatives include the rejuvenation of six lakes, the construction of 88 farm ponds, and the recharging of 50 borewells in more than 20 villages in Telangana. These efforts are projected to replenish over four billion liters of water annually, providing crucial support for local farmers' access to sustainable water.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Power
Beyond water conservation, AWS continues to focus on energy efficiency. Investments in advanced server design, innovative cooling technologies, and infrastructure optimization have made its cloud infrastructure up to 4.1 times more energy efficient than traditional on-premises data centers.
In India, AWS data centers draw electricity from dedicated extra high-voltage substations, developed in collaboration with utility authorities. This approach prevents additional strain on local distribution networks that serve residential and commercial areas. The company has also invested in 53 renewable energy projects across India, collectively generating more than four million MWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power over 1.3 million homes. This ensures that India's digital and AI ambitions are powered responsibly, reinforcing AWS's holistic approach to environmental sustainability.