Conversely, the pro-data center camp seems so deeply misled about water usage. 90% of current existing data centers are indeed open loop and use evaporative cooling which use SIGNIFICANTLY more water per acre than even farmland or golf courses. Unlike residential use, where 80% of the water is reclaimed, open loop data centers allow almost all the water to evaporate. And unlike agricultural use which is dispersed over a wide area, data centers draw water from a single pipe, usually drawing from municipal sources. Golf courses usually use recycled, grey, or non-potable water while data centers need really pure water

The water grievances are absolutely valid and so many folks here seem to have drunk the industry koolaid on it.

Closed loop systems aren't exactly green either. That water has to be pumped with anti-corrosives, anti-fungals, non-stick chemicals, etc. Eventually it turns into a toxic sludge that has to be bled about once a month. They also require significantly more electricity than open loop facilities.