QTS Commits One Billion Dollars to Water Stewardship
QTS launches a US$1bn global initiative to achieve water positivity by 2035, prioritizing closed-loop cooling and local infrastructure upgrades.
Global data centre operator QTS has announced a US$1 billion investment in water stewardship to achieve water positivity by 2035. The strategy aims to restore, replenish, or protect more water than the company withdraws during operations. This move addresses the strain digital infrastructure places on local power and water grids.
The initiative focuses on upgrading local water infrastructure, funding conservation projects, and executing watershed restoration. Co-CEOs Tag Greason and David Robey stated that reducing water use is the primary approach, with the capital commitment supporting long-term resource protection for communities.
Closed-loop systems reduce consumption
QTS deployed its Water-Free Cooling Design across facilities starting in 2019. This closed-loop technology eliminates the need for ongoing water consumption to cool servers, unlike evaporative alternatives. The company plans to deploy this technology across all upcoming site developments.
Once operational, these facilities use municipal water only for standard building needs, comparable to other commercial structures. QTS claims this approach saves billions of gallons of water annually compared to the industry average of 100 million gallons for cooling.
Texas leads initial capital deployment
Texas is the first region to receive this capital allocation. QTS plans to direct US$250 million to water infrastructure and conservation in the state over the next decade. Initial work includes funding the replacement of an aging water tower in Turkey, Texas.
The company is also committing US$15 million over ten years to the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. This funding supports local leak detection, habitat restoration, and irrigation efficiency. Regional water challenges vary, so QTS is tailoring capital investments to specific community requirements.
Broader environmental metrics align
QTS achieved 100% utilisation of carbon-free operational electricity in its facilities in 2024 and 2025. The US Environmental Protection Agency recognizes the company as a Top 50 user of green power. Since 2019, the company has planted 396,000 trees through its Grow with QTS programme.
These efforts complement the water stewardship goals by reducing overall environmental footprint. The combination of closed-loop cooling and green power usage positions QTS to meet its 2035 water positivity target. This integrated approach reflects a broader shift in data centre operational efficiency.
