Written questions

Data Centres: Water

Commons · Question 28746 · Tabled 10 Sep 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 16 Sep 2026

Question

Asked by Wendy Morton

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to require data-centre developers and operators to disclose their expected and actual annual water consumption.

Answer

Answered by Emma Hardy, 16 Sep 2026

Current evidence suggests existing data centres in England account for just 0.2% of non-household demand. Defra is working across government and with the Environment Agency to better understand the sectors growth and reduce its impact, including by suppor...