Google pushes water standards amid data center backlash

Google released guidelines requiring data centers to return more water to local watersheds than they consume by 2030. The framework mandates avoiding water-intensive cooling methods. The standards apply to all new data centers built in the U.S. Google states the rules will be implemented by 2030. The move responds to community backlash over water use and local pollution. The guidelines aim to establish a measurable baseline for water accountability in data centers.