Residents in Thane are questioning Amazon over conflicting water consumption data for its new Balkum data centre. Reports show figures ranging from 10,000 litres per day to 12 million litres, raising concerns about local water shortages and infrastructure impact. The local community has demanded transparency regarding environmental clearances and the facility’s cooling system.
A local residents' group in Thane, WakeUp Thanekars, has challenged Amazon regarding significant discrepancies in reported water requirements for its upcoming data centre in Balkum. The dispute centers on three vastly different figures currently in circulation, which has led to concerns about the project's actual environmental footprint and its impact on local water resources.
Conflicting Water Usage Data
According to documentation shared by the community group, the company’s internal fact sheet estimates the data centre will consume approximately 10,000 litres per day (0.01 MLD). However, earlier filings with the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee in August 2025 suggested a requirement of 125 KLD. Adding to the confusion, reports indicate that the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has allocated 12 MLD (12 million litres per day) for the facility. Residents argue that these conflicting numbers require urgent clarification, as a 12 MLD allocation is substantially higher than the company's public estimates.
Cooling Systems and Infrastructure Pressure
Beyond the raw numbers, the debate has moved to the technical side of the data centre's operations. The facility is reportedly designed to switch to water-based evaporative cooling systems when temperatures exceed 29.4 degrees Celsius. Given that Thane’s average annual temperature often stays above this threshold, residents are concerned that the facility will rely heavily on water cooling, potentially worsening the region's existing water deficit, which is estimated at 30 MLD.
There are also broader concerns regarding the transparency of the project's approval process. Critics allege that mandatory environmental clearance documents, including No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for water, sewer, and storm water drainage, are not easily accessible on official government portals like PARIVESH. Additionally, the project’s total power requirement, estimated at 422 MW, has raised questions about the strain on regional energy infrastructure.
Growing Community and Regulatory Focus
This incident highlights a rising trend of community-led monitoring of large-scale industrial projects in India. As data centres become essential infrastructure for digital services, their high consumption of power and water has drawn increased scrutiny. Local representation, including MP Naresh Mhaske, has indicated that these concerns may be escalated to the Parliament.
For investors and stakeholders, the key monitorable will be the company’s formal response to these discrepancies and the availability of verified compliance reports. Future updates on the facility’s environmental clearance status, specific cooling technology details, and confirmation of water allocation from the municipal corporation will be critical in assessing the project’s timeline and potential regulatory hurdles.