India's Data Center Boom Sparks Water Crisis in Greater Noida Communities

India is experiencing a significant surge in data center development, with regions like Greater Noida and Bengaluru becoming major hubs. This expansion, however, is exacerbating water scarcity in already stressed areas, as data centers require enormous amounts of water for cooling.

In Greater Noida, areas like Khora Colony are witnessing alarming groundwater depletion, forcing residents to rely on expensive water tankers and endure frequent pump failures. Residents report groundwater levels dropping drastically, causing hardship and displacement.

Companies like AdaniConneX and Sify Technologies operate large facilities. While AdaniConneX claims to use air-cooled chillers to minimize water consumption, Sify Technologies reportedly uses freshwater from municipal supply and groundwater, potentially consuming billions of liters annually.

The Uttar Pradesh government's Data Center Policy 2021 encourages investment but is vague on water sourcing, promising "24x7 water supply" without detailing sustainability. Official records lack transparency regarding data center water usage permits and actual consumption, with authorities providing incomplete information and delaying responses to RTI requests. This creates a stark contrast between digital infrastructure growth and local water access issues.

Impact: This situation poses a significant challenge, balancing economic development from the data center sector against the critical need for water resources. The long-term sustainability of this growth is questionable if water resources are not managed effectively, potentially leading to social unrest and regulatory backlash. Impact Rating: 7/10

Heading: Glossary of Terms Data Centre: A facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. Gigawatt (GW): A unit of power equal to one billion watts. Used here to measure the capacity of data center infrastructure. Megawatt (MW): A unit of power equal to one million watts. Used to measure the IT load capacity of data centers. IT Load Capacity: The amount of power dedicated to running the IT equipment within a data center. Cooling Towers: Structures used to reduce the temperature of water used in industrial cooling systems by evaporating water. Air-Cooled Chillers: Cooling systems that use ambient air to cool refrigerant, which then cools water for the data center, consuming less water than water-cooled systems. Submersible Pumps: Pumps placed inside a well or borewell, designed to operate submerged in water. Borewells: A deep hole dug into the ground to access groundwater. NOIDA (New Okhla Industrial Development Authority): An urban industrial development authority in Uttar Pradesh, India. GNIDA (Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority): An authority responsible for the planned development of Greater Noida. Jal Nigam: The State Water and Sewerage Board, responsible for providing water and sanitation facilities. Groundwater Department: Government department responsible for monitoring and regulating groundwater extraction. RTI (Right to Information): A law in India that allows citizens to obtain information from government bodies.