Google Targets Refilling 120 Percent Of Water Consumed By Companies By 2030

Google offices are accused of consuming a lot of water to cool their servers. (photo: hk/unsplash)

JAKARTA - Google wants to fill 20% more water than offices and data centers use by 2030. This statement came from the company on Thursday, September 9, which was addressing concerns about their technology facilities depleting water amid a record drought that occurred at this time. this.

"We pledged to water stewardship targets to replenish more water than we consume by 2030 and support water security in the communities where we operate", wrote Google Head of Sustainability Kate Brandt in a blog post. "This means Google will refill 120% of the water we consume, on average, across our offices and data centers".

Google is said to have consumed 3.4 billion gallons of water in 2019. The company told Reuters it had not yet started tracking refill rates. But it added that the 20% target reflects what is needed to return areas with high or very high water scarcity to normal levels.

Google uses water to cool the stacks of its data center computers that store and process search queries, YouTube videos, and other data. Researchers say change is needed because climate change is exacerbating droughts around the world. Mountain View, California-based corporate data centers are located worldwide.

Google plans to achieve its new target by using less water in its buildings and then helping conservation in surrounding communities, starting with those with the most water scarce.

Google's new measures include collecting rainwater to flush toilets and funding the removal of water-hungry invasive plants. In Southern California, Google even helped install toilet leak detection technology in low-income housing, to reduce waste and keep water cycled through the piping system. Google will continue to help vendors reduce water consumption.

Microsoft Corp a year ago and Facebook Inc last month both announced a goal of being water positive by 2030 without specifying a charging target.

Google said in September 2020 that it plans to run carbon-free energy data centers and offices around the clock by 2030.