AI Data Centers in Texas Used 463 Million Gallons of Water, Residents Told to Take Shorter Showers - Techie + Gamers
techiegamers.com
Texas has long been defined by oil, heat, and huge infrastructure projects. Now, it’s also at the center of a growing environmental debate. Microsoft’s Stargate campus in Abilene is leading a data center boom that is drawing concern over water use, right in the middle of a prolonged drought. According to a July 2025 investigation
  • spit_evil_olive_tips@beehaw.org
    36·
    6 months ago

    According to a July 2025 investigation by The Austin Chronicle

    …

    According to the Chronicle article

    …

    “Once that water evaporates, it’s just gone,” Mace told The Austin Chronicle.

    one of my journalism pet peeves - they don’t link to that original source article, from only 4 days ago, but this entire article is basically just a rewrite / rewording of it. all of the sources quoted are from the Austin Chronicle, they don’t seem to have done any original reporting.

    and on the sidebar, the top link on “Editor’s Picks” is “10 Most Successful Shark Tank Products” which is pretty obviously just an ad disguised as an article. so this “Techie Gamers” website seems like a pretty shitty clickbait farm.

    • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
      21·
      6 months ago

      Thank you for giving the Austin Chronicle credit where it’s due. I’m a donor and love their paper. It’s a free weekly that’s the only print news really left in Austin, and they do great work. Also a great resource to find live shows around town

      • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgEnglish
        3·
        6 months ago

        But, but, but … the Statesman is still around! I see it on the rack at HEB, but it’s a fucking shell. Unsurprising when you have a burgeoning union while changing hands twice in five years and the best solution was Cox. (N.B., I ran the GateHouse team that designed A360 ahead of the Gannett purchase from Cox.)

        When you’re getting better news on Kerrville from the UK than the AAS, well …

  • J.S. Gale@beehaw.org
    13·
    6 months ago

    Everytime I hear anything about these data centers it’s something like this. They come into a community and fuck with the residents. They pollute the air, the water, they use up all the water, they cause noise pollution. It’s absurd.

  • Brad@beehaw.org
    10·
    6 months ago

    Cue millions of Texans asking ChatGPT: “How can I take a shorter shower?”

  • Eryn6844@beehaw.org
    9·
    6 months ago

    this is just a waste of resources. no one needs freaking AI. its crap bullshit. people need WATER stop being evil Microsoft!