Amazon Data Center Water Use in Spain Approved to Rise 48% 2026

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has received authorization to increase its water allocation by 48% for its data center in El Burgo de Ebro, Spain, according to a resolution from the Instituto Aragonés de Gestión Ambiental (Inaga). The decision, reported by El Periódico de Aragón, has raised concerns among local farmers and highlights the growing tension between digital infrastructure and water scarcity in drought-prone regions.

What the Approval Means for Amazon's Data Center

The Inaga resolution allows AWS to increase its water usage without requiring a full environmental impact assessment. However, the company must still modify its integrated environmental authorization and provide detailed information on expected consumption, supply flow rates, wastewater volumes, treatment systems, and storage capacity.

AWS will also need to comply with legionella prevention and fire protection regulations, implement an environmental monitoring plan with continuous tracking, and restore the land when the facility is decommissioned. The resolution is expected to be published in the Official Gazette of Aragon in the coming days.

Why Amazon Requested More Water

AWS applied for the increase in late 2024. The original design estimated 555 hours per year of water use for cooling. The new request argues that higher water volumes are needed to ensure reliable cooling during peak demand and to support expanded cloud services in the region.

The company also anticipates similar approvals for its data centers in Villanueva de Gállego and Huesca, where it has requested comparable increases. This suggests a broader expansion of AWS's water footprint in Aragon, a region already facing water stress.

Environmental and Agricultural Concerns

While Inaga concluded that the increase would not have significant environmental effects, local farmers are likely to disagree. Aragon's agricultural sector relies heavily on water from the Ebro River and its tributaries, and any additional industrial demand could reduce availability for irrigation.

Data centers are notoriously water-intensive, using water for cooling to maintain optimal temperatures for servers. As cloud computing grows, so does the competition for water resources, especially in areas with limited rainfall and frequent droughts.

Key Takeaways from the Decision

• 48% increase in water allocation approved for AWS's El Burgo de Ebro data center.
• No full environmental impact assessment required, but AWS must meet detailed reporting and monitoring conditions.
• Similar requests are pending for AWS facilities in Villanueva de Gállego and Huesca.
• Local farmers may face increased competition for water resources.
• Continuous environmental monitoring and land restoration are mandatory.

Comparing Water Use: Data Centers vs. Agriculture

To understand the scale of the increase, consider the following comparison of water use in the region. The table below illustrates the relative water demands of different sectors in Aragon, based on available data. The longer history behind the story is traced in Spain's 'Brown Challenge' Forces Pool Closures Across the Country.

While data centers represent a small fraction of total water use, their concentrated local impact can be significant, especially during drought periods. The background to this story is set out in AWS Glitch Sends $1.5 Trillion Bills to Stunned Customers. A related thread runs through Spain Tightens Data Center Rules: 80% Renewable Energy and Water Use Regulated. Earlier coverage in AWS Glitch Sends $1.5 Trillion Bills to Customers Worldwide shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

The publication of the resolution in the Official Gazette of Aragon will provide more details on the conditions AWS must meet. Environmental groups and agricultural associations are expected to scrutinize the monitoring data and may challenge the decision if water resources become strained. A closer look at the same subject appears in AWS Glitch Sends $1.5 Trillion Bills: What Businesses Must Know. Anyone following the wider picture can start with AWS Glitch Sends $1.5 Trillion Bills: What You Need to Know. The same theme surfaces in Data Centers' Water Consumption Triples: The Hidden Cost of AI, which takes a different angle.

Additionally, the pending requests for Villanueva de Gállego and Huesca will be closely watched as indicators of how regulators balance economic development with water sustainability. As climate change intensifies water scarcity in southern Europe, the scrutiny of data center water use is likely to increase. Context on how this played out before sits in Water Bills Rise as Ofwat Approves £3.4bn Extra Spending. A companion piece, Amazon CEO: AI Could Double AWS Revenue to $600B by 2036, approaches the same subject from another angle.