Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 17928

Water: Data Centres

Tabled: 10 July 2026

Answered: 16 July 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the volume of water expected to be required annually by AI-capable data centres.

Answer

Emma Hardy

Defra is working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Environment Agency and water companies to improve understanding of data centre water demand. Defra is building the evidence base on water use, considering its implications th...

ⓘ

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 17928) →