Recognizing AI as Both a Risk and an Opportunity for Global Water Stress
Many consumers acknowledge the significant power consumption needed to operate AI. However, fewer recognize its water footprint.
To the best of your knowledge, to what degree are each of the following resources used to power AI (Artificial Intelligence) operations?
*Top Two (A lot + Some)
Percentage who believe water used to power AI is diverting resources which leads to water scarcity for people:
United States
Europe
Asia Pacific
IMEA
Latin America
China
Half of the regions surveyed believe AI can be used to mitigate climate impacts, including Latin America (61%), China (72%) and IMEA (68%), and will have an overall positive societal impact, with this sentiment particularly strong in Latin America (63%), China (72%) and IMEA (74%).
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
*Top Two (Strongly agree + Somewhat agree)
- AI will have an overall positive impact on society
- AI can be used to mitigate climate impacts
While the majority of adults polled feel that businesses should use AI to help them manage natural resources, confidence in businesses to power AI responsibly using energy and water resources, without regulation, is low. Confidence is particularly low in Asia Pacific (37%), Europe (37%) and the United States (39%). This highlights an opportunity to showcase responsible AI usage.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
*Top Two (Strongly agree + Somewhat agree)
“Every week a new data center opens, and every month a new fab comes online. While we can create more of the energy these facilities need, we cannot create more of our most vital resource – water. At Ecolab, we believe the solution to the AI resource challenge lies within itself. By applying AI to data analytics, real-time monitoring and temperature adjustments, we believe industrial water management systems can deliver data centers that use less water than a car wash.”
– Christophe Beck, Ecolab Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Dive deeper into other topics:
The research for the Ecolab Watermark™ Study was conducted between March 6 and March 20, 2025, among a sample of general population adults across six global regions—United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, India/Middle East/Africa (IMEA) and China—to provide a comprehensive overview of water stewardship. The interviews were conducted online, and results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2–3 percentage points. Some geographies may be weighted with fewer variables depending on local census data availability.
The China research excludes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. Building on more than a century of innovation, Ecolab has annual sales of $16 billion, employs approximately 48,000 associates and operates in more than 170 countries around the world. The company delivers comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments and optimize water and energy use. Ecolab’s innovative solutions improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, high tech, life sciences, hospitality and industrial markets. www.ecolab.com