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[ARTICLE · art-63036] src=simonwillison.net ↗ pub= topic=ai-infrastructure verified=true sentiment=· neutral

Spot birds not golf

Google used 10.9 billion gallons of water in 2025, about 30 million gallons per day, according to its sustainability report. A proposal suggests the company buy up 40 of the Coachella Valley's 120 golf courses, each using ~750,000 gallons per day, and convert them into public parks to offset data center water use.

read1 min views48 publishedJul 17, 2026

Suggestion for hyperscalers feeling pressure over data center water use:

Buy up a few exclusive country clubs, convert the golf courses into public parks, pay for guides and binoculars to get the previous members into birdwatching - help them embrace a more sustainable hobby!

Google used 10.9 billion gallons in 2025, so about 30 million gallons per day. The Coachella Valley has 120 golf courses each using ~800 acre-feet per year, which is ~750,000 gallons per day.

So Google buying up 40 of those courses (1/3) should do the trick.

Tags: ai-energy-usage, ai

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