Our continuing series takes an unflinching look at a vexed issue: how much water is required to keep the world’s data centres running. To illustrate this, we put the UK in the spotlight to consider the nation’s rules, regulations, and innovations designed to minimise water consumption in future.

In this episode, finance partner Ruth Harris tackles data centres’ water usage with real estate partners Alex Peace (in Australia) and Charlie Reid (in the UK). Together, the Ashurst colleagues reflect on current and forecast demands for water – and the responses from government, communities, investors, water companies and the industry itself.

In this revealing discussion, Charlie outlines the planning framework in the UK, where data centres have been designated critical national infrastructure which – on the surface – appears to create tension between the nation’s economic and environmental ambitions. He explains how environmental impact assessments are increasingly at the frontier of data centre development and notes a recent legal challenge centred on an inadequate water and energy consumption assessment.

However, the trio also discuss how modern facilities using circular water systems can consume dramatically less water than older data centres. They consider the need for standardised metrics to measure and report on facilities’ water usage effectiveness. And they consider how water companies could be part of the solution.

To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes about data centres, search for “Ashurst Legal Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. To listen to a recent episode dedicated to water usage in Australian data centres visit this web page. To read Ashurst’s regular article series on data centres, visit this web page. To find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts, visit ashurst.com/podcasts.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

Our continuing series takes an unflinching look at a vexed issue: how much water is required to keep the world&rsquo;s data centres running. To illustrate this, we put the UK in the spotlight to consider the nation&rsquo;s rules, regulations, and innovations designed to minimise water consumption in future.
In this episode, finance partner <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/en/people/ruth-harris/">Ruth Harris</a> tackles data centres&rsquo; water usage with real estate partners <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/en/people/alexandra-peace/">Alex Peace</a> (in Australia) and <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/en/people/charles-reid/">Charlie Reid</a> (in the UK). Together, the Ashurst colleagues reflect on current and forecast demands for water &ndash; and the responses from government, communities, investors, water companies and the industry itself.
In this revealing discussion, Charlie outlines the planning framework in the UK, where data centres have been designated critical national infrastructure which &ndash; on the surface &ndash; appears to create tension between the nation&rsquo;s economic and environmental ambitions. He explains how environmental impact assessments are increasingly at the frontier of data centre development and notes a recent legal challenge centred on an inadequate water and energy consumption assessment.
However, the trio also discuss how modern facilities using circular water systems can consume dramatically less water than older data centres. They consider the need for standardised metrics to measure and report on facilities&rsquo; water usage effectiveness. And they consider how water companies could be part of the solution.
To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes about data centres, search for &ldquo;Ashurst Legal Outlook&rdquo; on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. To listen to a recent episode dedicated to water usage in Australian data centres <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/en/podcasts/legal-outlook-podcasts/legal-outlook-data-centres-here-today-here-tomorrow-waters-evolving-role-in-australias-data-centre/">visit this web page</a>. To read Ashurst&rsquo;s regular article series on data centres, <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/en/insights/data-centres-article-series/">visit this web page</a>. To find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts, visit <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/podcasts">ashurst.com/podcasts</a>.
The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

The commercial world is always changing and the legal landscape never stands still. Keeping pace with all those changes, and knowing how they affect your organisation, is a big responsibility and a challenging task. Ashurst Legal Outlook will keep you at the forefront of the most pressing legal issues, offering insights from legal experts across our international network.

The commercial world is always changing and the legal landscape never stands still. Keeping pace with all those changes, and knowing how they affect your organisation, is a big responsibility and a challenging task. Ashurst Legal Outlook will keep you at the forefront of the most pressing legal issues, offering insights from legal experts across our international network.

A podcast series that will keep you across the global trends and local issues that are shaping the legal landscape and impacting organisations.

Ashurst Legal Outlook Podcast

Ashurst Legal Outlook

Our continuing series takes an unflinching look at a vexed issue: how much water is required to keep the world’s data centres running. To illustrate this, we put the UK in the spotlight to consider the nation’s rules, regulations, and innovations designed to minimise water consumption in future.