> Most water use in data centers should be able to be self-sufficient, mostly closed [Citation Needed] My understanding is that data centers CAN use closed-lo

> Most water use in data centers should be able to be self-sufficient, mostly closed [Citation Needed] My understanding is that data centers CAN use closed-loop systems. But, most don't if they're not forced to, because it costs more than evaporating towers. According to this[1], 88% of water-cooled data-centers use open-loop evaporation towers. "up to 85% of the water data centers use evaporates and does not return to the water supply" [2] [1] https://intelligence.uptimeinstitute.com/sites/default/files/2025-07/UI%20Field%20181_Data%20center%20cooling.pdf https://intelligence.uptimeinstitute.com/sites/default/files... [2] https://mostpolicyinitiative.org/science-note/data-center-water-use/#:~:text=Data%20centers%20use,and%20aquatic%20life.&text=Up%20to%2085%25,concentrations%20of%20dissolved&text=Data%20centers%20directly,%28Hershberg%20et%20al. https://mostpolicyinitiative.org/science-note/data-center-wa...