Data Centres vs. Drinking Water: What Matters To Us Most?

The Rest Is Politics

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Thursday, 30 July 2026 - 17 minutes

To hear the full episode, which includes an interview with global water expert, Sandra Postel, sign up at the therestispolitics.com

With the government quietly categorising data centres as ‘critical infrastructure’, could we ever be in a situation where data centre water supply is prioritised over the water that comes out of our taps? Why do we no have clear data that tells just how much water data centres use? And why are so many data centres being built in areas which are already water stressed? 

Join Caroline Lucas and Ollie Hayes as they all of these questions and more. 

⁠⁠Read the redacted Joint Intelligence Committee Report here⁠⁠

⁠⁠Find out more about the National Emergency Briefing here.⁠⁠

Find Sandra Postel's book here

Read Global Action Plan's AI Data Centre Water Report Here

Producer: India Dunkley

Video Editor: Kieron Leslie

Social Producer: Celine Charles

General Manager: Tom Whiter

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