The heaviest demand on America's water isn't data centers or AI. It's from everyday uses such as growing food, watering lawns and flushing toilets.
The heaviest demand on America's water isn't data centers or AI. It's from everyday uses such as growing food, watering lawns and flushing toilets.
By John Kelly, Scott Pham and Steve Reilly
Published June 9, 2026
Google says a typical AI query uses five drops of water.
OpenAI's Sam Altman describes a similar amount — about one-fifteenth of a teaspoon.
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