A new analysis published by The Guardian finds that a majority of planned U.S. AI data centers are being sited on land classified as drought-affected, raising concerns about long-term water availability for cooling operations. The findings add to a growing body of evidence quantifying the environmental footprint of large-scale AI infrastructure buildout. Researchers note that water-intensive cooling systems at facilities in arid regions could strain local aquifers and municipal supplies already under pressure from climate change. Regulators in several states are expected to cite the study in ongoing permitting and zoning proceedings.