WIRED published an examination of efforts by data center operators to reduce water consumption, including transitions to air-side economizers, closed-loop systems, and direct liquid cooling. Several major operators have set internal targets to reduce water usage effectiveness metrics at new facilities. The report highlights that progress has been uneven, with older hyperscale campuses still relying heavily on evaporative cooling. Industry watchers expect water efficiency to become a formal regulatory requirement in multiple states within two years.