Cooling tech used in data centers are producing wastewater contaminated with dust, chemicals, and minerals. Chip manufacturing also generates wastewater, including heavy metals. This wastewater is toxic to the environment and can be difficult for municipal wastewater plants to treat and remove. Mining precious metals and rare earth elements required for semiconductors and other AI hardware also consumes and pollutes water resources.
https://www.wateronline.com/doc/ai-s-water-problem-is-worse-than-you-think-but-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-0001