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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to question hosepipe bans while AI water use gets little scrutiny

113 replies

MariaMagdalenaa · 25/06/2026 17:18

AIBU to think it’s ridiculous that there is a hosepipe ban and I cannot water my plants in this heat whilst I see hardly any discussions or questions raised about the massive drain on our water resources by AI?

OP posts:
bedfrog · 25/06/2026 17:42

I know what you mean but I still water plants during a drought with the water leftover from cooking veg, used washing up water, the water collected while I wait for the shower to warm up. Just because that makes me feel better about myself (hate feeling wasteful) but in reality it's a drop in the ocean.

101Nutella · 25/06/2026 17:42

Yeah it’s silly. Why are golf courses exempt from hosepipe bans? It’s not our fault the water companies in the UK haven’t maintained the service and built new reservoirs to meet population growth. Always pushed back on to the individuals rather than dealing with root cause.

Nugg · 25/06/2026 17:41

Serenity75 · 25/06/2026 17:37

Surely all of the data centres are in the USA? They don’t have any impact on water in Kent. It’s not like water is a resource that can be moved around from the Us to Kent!

Nope they are in the uk. One just at the side of the m3 near Windsor

Backedoffhackedoff · 25/06/2026 17:41

Can you explain how AI uses the same water source (uk reservoirs rivers etc) as your tap? Because I don’t understand how the infrastructure can support the day to day demands from data centres?!

scalt · 25/06/2026 17:38

Is there a hosepipe ban, after the soggy spring? Indeed, did we actually have spring? While the nanny state is scaring us with dark red weather maps, do they think we have forgotten how much it rained in the first half of the year?

Serenity75 · 25/06/2026 17:37

Surely all of the data centres are in the USA? They don’t have any impact on water in Kent. It’s not like water is a resource that can be moved around from the Us to Kent!

Rollercoaster1920 · 25/06/2026 17:37

A massive downpour less than a week ago, and rain forecast on Saturday. I'd expect the plants to be ok, if a bit heat wilted.

MezeAndNibbles · 25/06/2026 17:36

I suggest you look into fracking aswell. Lots of idiots are demanding fracking, but don’t realise how water dependant it is. After fracking, the water has to be treated, at great expense and using a lot energy, before it can (not always possible) be returned to the water course.

randomchap · 25/06/2026 17:31

That's right, the rules don't apply to you. You and your plants are special.

Water use by data centres does need investigation, but that doesn't mean you can flout the rules that are there to try to ensure everyone has enough water.

CagedBirdInACage · 25/06/2026 17:29

It probably depends where you look. Personally I see a lot of people questioning AI and data centres. Both their water and electric use. In Ireland where I am they use almost 20% of all energy consumption. They are quite the hot topic.

Original poster
MariaMagdalenaa · 25/06/2026 17:27

I am in Kent and yes I won’t let my plants die. It my question was more about why we don’t care about AI water usage which is a lot more damaging for the environment as a whole.

OP posts:
Darragon · 25/06/2026 17:26

Is there an AI based in your water region? I don’t think we’re even on a hosepipe ban here.

Larrythecatforpm · 25/06/2026 17:24

Water your plants, whose even going to know?!