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15. August 2025
Uk Governments Water Conservation Plan Sparks Outrage Over Digital Detox Requirements
The UK’s latest water conservation effort has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling it an unnecessary and impractical request. The government has advised citizens to delete their old emails and pictures in order to help reduce pressure on the water environment, citing the vast amounts of water required to cool data centre systems.
This advice was included in a list of water-saving tips for the home, which also recommended fixing leaking toilets, turning off taps while brushing teeth, and taking shorter showers. The National Drought Group, a coalition of organizations including the Met Office, government agencies, and water companies, has declared the UK’s water shortage a “nationally significant incident.”
The UK has just experienced its hottest six-month spell since 1976, with July recording as the fifth-hottest month on record. Five areas are now officially in drought after six consecutive months of below-average rainfall. In July, nearly half of all river flows were below average, and two hit their lowest levels on record for the month.
The Environment Agency’s Director of Water, Helen Wakeham, acknowledged the public’s efforts to conserve water during dry conditions. However, she also emphasized the importance of simple, everyday choices that can make a significant difference in reducing demand and preserving the health of rivers and wildlife.
Data centres, which store emails, photos, and other digital data, require a substantial amount of energy to operate. The construction of new data centres has been hindered by insufficient electricity supply in the UK, leading to the development of alternative cooling systems. These systems use chilled-water or evaporative cooling methods to keep equipment cool, reducing the need for water.
However, the request to delete old emails and pictures has sparked widespread criticism. If an email is 75 kilobytes in size, the electricity required to save it to the cloud is approximately 5.85×10⁻⁷ kWh per month. In contrast, storing a single 100-word email with GPT-4 uses around 519 millilitres of water.
Moreover, deleting old emails and pictures may actually use more energy than leaving them in a spun-down state. Any potential water savings from this measure would be localized to the data centre, as the UK has no blanket requirement to keep data within its borders.
On the other hand, AI-powered tools like GPT-4 use significantly more water than storing an email in the cloud. Writing one 100-word email with GPT-4 uses approximately 519 millilitres of water, roughly equivalent to one 16.9-ounce bottle. With millions of users worldwide, the cumulative water usage of chatbots like GPT-4 is substantial.
The government’s emphasis on AI has been met with skepticism from environmentalists and critics. The largest data centre in Europe will be built in Hertfordshire, as part of a broader initiative to establish the UK as a global leader in AI innovation. However, this focus on AI has raised concerns about its impact on the environment and society.
Data centres, particularly those located in drought-prone areas, can strain local water supplies and contribute to air pollution. Cooling these facilities is often achieved through evaporation cooling methods, which require significant amounts of water. This raises concerns for nearby residents who may be affected by water pressure issues or reduced availability of this vital resource.
China has taken a different approach, with plans underway to build an underwater AI data centre off the coast of Shanghai. The facility will use ocean water to cool high-performance servers and tap offshore wind for power. This innovative approach highlights the potential for sustainable energy solutions in data centre design.
In addition to the UK’s efforts, other countries have also taken steps to reduce their environmental impact through AI innovation. However, it is essential that these initiatives prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Ultimately, the UK’s request to delete old emails and pictures serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor actions can have far-reaching consequences. By reevaluating our priorities and striving for more sustainable solutions, we can create a better future for ourselves and future generations.
The government must balance its efforts to promote AI innovation with a focus on environmental sustainability. This may involve providing incentives for data centre operators to adopt water-efficient cooling methods or investing in research into alternative technologies that minimize harm to the environment.