How many liters of water are used in each ChatGPT consultation?
Its energy consumption is 10 times higher than that of a normal Google search, but its water consumption is especially worrying.
According to the OECD and Cornell University, for every 100-word text or each conversation with between 10 and 40 prompts (Instructions), up to 0.5 liters of fresh water are consumed, or the equivalent of 14 LED bulbs turned on for one hour.
The thirst for AI
Apart from written consultations, the creation of images and especially videos with artificial intelligence It further increases water consumption.Each AI-generated image consumes between 2 and 5 liters of water, according to a study by the University of California, Riverside. In fact, the trend of generating images in the style of Japanese Studio Ghibli in April 2025 consumed approximately 216 million liters of water in just one week, according to estimates made by experts at the time.
In the case of videos, there are no specific studies that provide a figure, but some AI experts have suggested that at least [number of] videos could be consumed. about 30 liters per minute of videoHowever, the figure is in doubt, because it even seems like too low an estimate: a traditional video would consume more.
Data Centers
Why does AI consume so much water? Well for the operation of the data centers where these computer processes are generatedFirst, these servers require large amounts of energy, which consumes water. Second, they generate a lot of heat, requiring powerful, potable water-based cooling systems to prevent corrosion of the chips. And third, there's the issue of the water used in the manufacturing of these microchips.
It is expected that looking ahead to 2027 Global water usage related to artificial intelligence is estimated to be between 4.2 and 6.6 billion cubic meters (4.2 to 6.6 trillion liters). This is equivalent to between 4 and 6 times Denmark's annual water consumption..
Global reach
There are more than 11,000 data centers in the world, most of them (around 5,000) in the United States. In fact, 70% of global data center capacity is concentrated in just two countriesThe United States (40%) and China (30%). The European Union would follow.
The world's largest data center, covering 1 square kilometer, is located in China's Inner Mongolia province. But the US state of Virginia has the highest concentration: 200 in a single county, Louton County, where energy consumption has risen by 250%.