OK, can we actually cool data centers with our pee?
techcrunch ·
A Liquid Death ad with Jason Kelce jokingly suggests people pee on data centers to cool them, but the premise is based on a real practice: using recycled wastewater for cooling. Experts explain that raw urine would be harmful, but treated wastewater, which includes urine, can be safely used for industrial cooling. Recycled water is increasingly used by data centers, offsetting demand for potable water. However, challenges include proximity to and capacity of wastewater treatment facilities, especially in rural areas. For instance, data centers in Loudoun County, Virginia, use 43% recycled water and 57% potable water for daily cooling. Some companies are funding wastewater infrastructure, and a 30% tax credit has been proposed to expand recycled water use. The article concludes that the ad's virality highlights growing public concern about data centers' environmental impact.
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