Examining US official's claim that data centres 'don't use water'

September 4, 2026

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made a controversial statement claiming that data centers do not consume water, which contradicts data from the International Energy Agency showing that an average American data center uses approximately 2 million liters of water daily. This issue has emerged as a significant concern for communities throughout the United States as the November midterm elections approach. The BBC examined Lutnick's assertion and produced a fact-checking video with graphics to verify the accuracy of his claim.

Who is affected

Communities across the United States
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (who made the claim)
Residents in areas where data centers are located or proposed

What action is being taken

The BBC is examining and fact-checking Howard Lutnick's claim
Data centers are consuming water (approximately 2 million liters per day on average in the US, according to the International Energy Agency)

Why it matters

This matters because there is a significant discrepancy between a high-ranking US government official's public statement and established data from international agencies. The substantial daily water consumption of data centers (approximately 2 million liters per facility) has real environmental and resource implications for local communities. As this has become a contentious political topic ahead of the midterm elections, accurate information is crucial for voters and policymakers making decisions about data center development in their areas.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC