A: Communities are right to ask questions about the water and energy demands associated with data centres. As AI and digital infrastructure continue to grow, we believe that growth should be approached responsibly, with careful consideration of local water and energy resources. Ecolab works with customers to use less water and energy, reuse more water, and apply advanced cooling and digital technologies that help improve efficiency and reduce pressure on local resources.

As governments across Europe are working to develop clearer frameworks for data centre development, collaboration across industry, utilities, policymakers and communities will be important. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to develop data centres responsibly, building resilient digital infrastructure that supports growth while protecting vital resources.

A: Discussions about AI often focus on chip performance and computing capacity, but its continued growth also depends on three closely connected resources: power, water and cooling. Water plays an essential role across the AI value chain, from manufacturing advanced semiconductors and supporting electricity generation to cooling high-density computing systems.

A: For more than a century, we have helped customers in 40 industries use water and energy more efficiently, and we bring that same expertise to digital infrastructure. Our focus is not just on how little water is used, but on how efficiently it is used to achieve maximum output. The industry often manages power, water and heat separately. What differentiates Ecolab is our ability to work across all three, from the chip fabrication plant to the power plant to the server rack. This means we can help customers run AI infrastructure more reliably while using less water and energy.

This end-to-end approach is built on capabilities already in place: ultrapure water for semiconductor manufacturers through Ovivo, continuous performance monitoring that helps maximise energy efficiency in power generation, and direct liquid cooling for high-density data centres through CoolIT, all connected by our digital monitoring capabilities and on-site service teams.

A: As AI workloads become more intensive, they generate more heat, placing greater demands on traditional cooling systems. Direct liquid cooling removes heat efficiently from high-density chips, helping improve computing performance while reducing the energy required for cooling.

Its full value is realized when it is managed as part of the broader cooling and water system. Combining direct liquid cooling with closed-loop water management, chemistry, digital monitoring and operational expertise can support progress towards a near-zero water footprint while maintaining reliability and performance.

A: Digital intelligence complements these physical systems by turning operating data into actionable insight. AI-enabled monitoring can identify inefficiencies, optimise water and energy use, and help teams address potential issues before they affect equipment performance or operational reliability.

Our collaboration with Digital Realty demonstrates the potential of this approach. At launch, an AI-driven programme across 35 data centres in the United States was projected to reduce water use by up to 15% once fully implemented, showing how digital insight can support measurable improvements in operational performance.

A: It starts with considering water and energy resilience alongside computing capacity from the earliest stages of planning. Decisions about site selection, infrastructure design and cooling technology should reflect local water conditions, opportunities for reuse and the needs of surrounding communities.

Clear, measurable outcomes matter, together with the flexibility to apply the technologies best suited to each location. This is where we focus our work with customers: helping them understand their water and energy footprint, set meaningful targets and continuously improve performance.