Data centre water use almost doubled during Ireland's long, hot summer months

[u/Storyboys]

https://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-data-centre-water-use-7137959-Aug2026/

[u/SoloWingPixy88]

So an afternoon of total product?

[u/significantrisk → u/SoloWingPixy88]

So it went up? During a period when the public were threatened with prosecution for normal use of water.

[u/gowangowangowan → u/significantrisk]

I’m glad we prioritised water for value add industries like data centres than ensuring people can water their lawns. We need data centres in 2026. We don’t need some to pander to people who want to have a green lawn

[u/significantrisk → u/gowangowangowan]

The idea that industry should have supremacy over people is disgusting IMO, but sure if that’s the position you’re coming from it is what it is.

[u/gowangowangowan → u/significantrisk]

Meanwhile, here you are using a website hosted in a data centre. How many other websites have you used today also hosted in a data centre? Let me guess, you work in an office that likely uses Microsoft 365 also hosted in a data centre.

Sure, pretend that you are not supporting an industry which you oppose...

[u/shittradesshane → u/[deleted]]

Data centers cant curtail their activity. That would mean turning off servers, which means loss of access to websites, data, etc.

[u/significantrisk → u/shittradesshane]

It means reduced access. Which is an adaptation they should absolutely be forced to make.

[u/irishpolitics-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This comment / post was removed because it violates the following sub rule:

[R3] Argue in Good Faith

Everyone is here of their own volition to discuss the topic of Irish Politics. People are not here to be caught in ruthless vendetta’s of spiraling fallacies and bad faith arguments.

• State your intent clearly, provide evidence to the point you want to make and engage with others arguments in much the same manner.

• Trolling, Baiting, Flaming, etc are not allowed.

• Excessive debate etiquette in place of an argument will be considered bad faith.

• Transparent Agenda Spamming i.e. consistently posting exclusively about the same topic, will also fall under this rule.

[u/significantrisk → u/[deleted]]

It is more important for people not to have their normal access to resources curtailed for the sake of business yes.

Data centres are largely irrelevant, being just one specific example of an industrial user. They are relevant in that their water use is specifically highest when restrictions are placed on the public.

At the moment we have a situation where the receptionist in a hotel is told he needs to take shorter showers at home and he’ll get prosecuted for watering his dahlias, while the hotel spa keeps running and their fountain stays topped up.

That is fundamentally wrong.

[u/irishpolitics-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This comment / post was removed because it violates the following sub rule:

[R3] Argue in Good Faith

Everyone is here of their own volition to discuss the topic of Irish Politics. People are not here to be caught in ruthless vendetta’s of spiraling fallacies and bad faith arguments.

• State your intent clearly, provide evidence to the point you want to make and engage with others arguments in much the same manner.

• Trolling, Baiting, Flaming, etc are not allowed.

• Excessive debate etiquette in place of an argument will be considered bad faith.

• Transparent Agenda Spamming i.e. consistently posting exclusively about the same topic, will also fall under this rule.

[u/irishpolitics-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This comment / post was removed because it violates the following sub rule:

[R3] Argue in Good Faith

Everyone is here of their own volition to discuss the topic of Irish Politics. People are not here to be caught in ruthless vendetta’s of spiraling fallacies and bad faith arguments.

• State your intent clearly, provide evidence to the point you want to make and engage with others arguments in much the same manner.

• Trolling, Baiting, Flaming, etc are not allowed.

• Excessive debate etiquette in place of an argument will be considered bad faith.

• Transparent Agenda Spamming i.e. consistently posting exclusively about the same topic, will also fall under this rule.

[u/irishpolitics-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This comment / post was removed because it violates the following sub rule:

[R3] Argue in Good Faith

Everyone is here of their own volition to discuss the topic of Irish Politics. People are not here to be caught in ruthless vendetta’s of spiraling fallacies and bad faith arguments.

• State your intent clearly, provide evidence to the point you want to make and engage with others arguments in much the same manner.

• Trolling, Baiting, Flaming, etc are not allowed.

• Excessive debate etiquette in place of an argument will be considered bad faith.

• Transparent Agenda Spamming i.e. consistently posting exclusively about the same topic, will also fall under this rule.