# The truth about UK data centre water usage

> Source: <https://takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-truth-about-uk-data-centre-water>
> Published: 2026-07-13 06:01:53+00:00

# The truth about UK data centre water usage

### Plus James's pitch for fixing robotaxi congestion

On * YIMBY Pod* this week:

James pitches Martin on an idea he has had to solve the problem of congestion caused by robotaxis.

And we speak to Sky News Technology Correspondent

**Rowland Manthorpe**, who has been reporting on the data centre water usage controversy – and has been figuring out what the situation is here in the UK.

Rowland’s Substack piece on AI water usage is [here](https://rowlandmanthorpe.substack.com/p/data-centres-dont-use-that-much-water), and he made a fantastic video about it [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbka90zw_Lg&pp=ygUacm93bGFuZCBtYW50aG9ycGUgYWkgd2F0ZXI%3D). The film he mentioned on ‘A machine to watch the world’ is [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv4TPm7P424).

James picking a fight with half of the internet over robotaxis is [here](https://takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/no-hellscape-no-problem).

Martin’s piece on ‘picky bits’ and national decline is [here](https://martinrobbins.substack.com/p/on-picky-bits-and-national-decline), and his YouTube channel is [here](https://www.youtube.com/@MFRobbins).

*Don’t forget to tell your friends about the pod – and leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts!*

**YIMBY Pod is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Substack and hopefully wherever you get your podcasts!**