Data Center Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) Calculator
Quantify data center water usage effectiveness by subtracting reclaimed water from total make-up volumes and dividing by IT energy delivery. The metric highlights the water intensity of your cooling strategy across climates and sourcing mixes.
For compliance reporting, validate metering accuracy and align with the Green Grid WUE specification.
Examples
- 9,500,000 L make-up − 2,500,000 L reclaimed, 4,200,000 kWh IT ⇒ Net water: 7,000,000.000 liters | WUE: 1.667 L/kWh | Equivalent: 0.440 gal/kWh
- 3,800,000 L make-up − 400,000 L reclaimed, 2,750,000 kWh IT ⇒ Net water: 3,400,000.000 liters | WUE: 1.236 L/kWh | Equivalent: 0.327 gal/kWh
FAQ
What counts as make-up water?
Include all potable, reclaimed, or on-site sources added to cooling towers, humidification systems, or adiabatic pads over the reporting period.
Should blowdown water be subtracted?
Do not subtract blowdown—it is part of the consumption footprint. Only deduct water that is reclaimed and reused internally without sourcing new supply.
Can I express WUE in gallons per kWh?
Yes. The calculator automatically reports the equivalent gallons per kilowatt-hour alongside liters per kilowatt-hour.
Additional Information
- Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) divides total annual data center water consumption by IT energy use to express liters of water per kilowatt-hour delivered by servers.
- Subtracting reclaimed or recycled water highlights the draw on fresh supplies—aligning with reporting frameworks such as the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres and the Uptime Institute's WUE guidance.
- Comparing WUE month by month reveals the water impact of economiser hours, adiabatic setpoints, and seasonal humidity shifts.
- Pair WUE with Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) to capture both energy and water efficiency for sustainability reporting.