Summary：UK Faces Alarming Water Shortage Threatening Data Centre Expansion, Critics Warn **Introduction**

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UK Faces Alarming Water Shortage Threatening Data Centre Expansion, Critics Warn

**Introduction**
A growing chorus of experts is warning that the United Kingdom’s limited freshwater resources could soon choke the rapid rollout of new data centres. Musician‑turned‑environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey has become the most visible voice in the debate, stating that without decisive government action, entire regions may “run out of water” as the digital economy expands. The warning comes amid a surge in planning applications for hyperscale facilities, particularly in the Thames Valley and the North West, where water stress is already acute.

**Key Developments**
Sharkey’s intervention follows a recent report by the Environment Agency highlighting that average annual rainfall in parts of England has fallen below the long‑term mean for three consecutive years. At the same time, the Department for Business and Trade released figures showing a 22 % year‑on‑increase in approved data‑centre floor space, driven by demand for cloud services and AI workloads. Local councils in Berkshire and Greater Manchester have begun to object to several projects, citing concerns over groundwater abstraction and the strain on existing treatment works. Sharkey warned that if the current trajectory continues, “the very infrastructure meant to power the future could become its biggest liability.”

**Industry Analysis**
Data centres are notoriously water‑intensive, relying on evaporative cooling systems that can consume anywhere from 1.5 to 3 litres of water per kilowatt‑hour of IT load. In regions where water tables are already declining, this demand competes directly with agriculture, households, and ecosystems. Analysts from the Water Futures Institute note that a typical 100 MW facility could draw the equivalent of a small town’s daily consumption. While some operators are experimenting with adiabatic cooling and water‑recycling loops, adoption remains patchy, largely because retrofitting existing sites carries high capital costs. The industry’s push for higher power densities exacerbates the problem, as more heat must be dissipated per square metre of floor space.

**Future Outlook**
Policymakers face a stark choice: enforce stricter water‑use licences and incentivise low‑cool