Even the thirstiest data centers are still a small part of the water economy. That does not let them off the hook.

The Microsoft data centers used more than they were expected to. That is a very legitimate cause for concern, if the fact emerges at a moment when the rest of the country, including the agriculture sector, is being told to restrict its water use because of a drought in 2022.

The 84 million liter figure refers to 2021, so there is every reason to expect consumption to jump still higher this year.