Gradiant Pioneers Sustainable Water Solutions for AI-Powered Data Centers
Gradiant, a global leader in advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions, has secured two significant contracts from prominent technology firms to implement cutting-edge sustainable water systems at new data centers in the United States and the Indo-Pacific region. These new contracts are not only a strategic milestone for the company but also a crucial step in reshaping the water footprint of the rapidly growing AI and cloud infrastructure industry.
The data centers in question will play a pivotal role in enabling artificial intelligence, cloud services, and global digital connectivity. However, they are also emerging as some of the most resource-intensive components of the modern digital economy, particularly in terms of their water consumption. Gradiant’s advanced water management technologies will enable these facilities to meet ambitious environmental targets while mitigating their impact on local water supplies—especially critical given that many data centers are being built in regions already experiencing water scarcity.
This move highlights Gradiant’s growing reputation as the trusted water partner for leading AI infrastructure developers and operators. By delivering integrated, intelligent, and sustainable water solutions, Gradiant is helping reshape how the tech sector approaches environmental responsibility in an age dominated by exponential data growth and artificial intelligence.
The Intersection of AI and Water Stress
As artificial intelligence takes center stage across industries—from finance and healthcare to energy, manufacturing, and beyond—the infrastructure required to power this transformation is expanding at an unprecedented pace. Data centers, the hidden engines behind this AI revolution, are multiplying around the globe. But this rapid expansion comes with steep environmental costs.
In the United States alone, an average 100-megawatt data center consumes as much water daily as approximately 6,500 households. These facilities require vast amounts of water for cooling systems and other processes critical to maintaining operational efficiency and uptime. As AI workloads increase, the demand for more powerful servers—and thus more heat-intensive operations—further exacerbates water needs.
Globally, data center water consumption is forecast to more than double by the end of the decade. According to current estimates, the industry could use over 1,200 billion liters of water annually by 2030. Much of this infrastructure is being built in arid or drought-prone areas such as the U.S. Southwest, the Middle East, and parts of Asia and Australia. These locations are attractive for data center development due to factors like affordable land, proximity to renewable energy sources, and supportive regulatory environments. However, they also pose significant challenges when it comes to securing sustainable and long-term access to water.
This tension between growth and sustainability has placed unprecedented pressure on data center operators to develop and execute water strategies that are both effective and responsible.
Gradiant’s Mission: Turning Water Challenges into Opportunities
Founded with a mission to solve the world’s most complex water challenges, Gradiant has rapidly emerged as an industry leader in sustainable industrial water solutions. The company offers a comprehensive suite of technologies and services designed specifically for sectors where water is both a critical resource and a pressing liability.
Gradiant’s success lies in its ability to combine cutting-edge process technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and proprietary chemical formulations into fully integrated solutions. This approach delivers not only environmental sustainability but also operational reliability and cost-efficiency for clients.
“Building a data center without a water strategy is simply not viable in today’s climate reality,” said Anurag Bajpayee, CEO and co-founder of Gradiant. “These facilities are as water-intensive as they are energy-intensive. Our clients want to know how to build and scale AI infrastructure without compromising local water supplies, how to recycle and reuse nearly every drop of water, and how to do so in the most resource-stressed regions of the world. That’s where Gradiant comes in.”
A Full-Stack Approach to Water Innovation
Gradiant delivers holistic water solutions that encompass the entire lifecycle of water use within a data center. Its offerings include:
1. Water Recycling and Reuse through Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD):
Gradiant’s ZLD systems are designed to recover and recycle up to 99% of water used in industrial processes. By doing so, these systems drastically reduce the volume of wastewater and eliminate the need for large-scale freshwater withdrawals. This is especially critical in drought-prone areas, where preserving local water supplies is essential not only for environmental protection but also for gaining community and regulatory approval.
2. AI-Powered Optimization via SmartOps AI:
Leveraging real-time data analytics and artificial intelligence, Gradiant’s SmartOps AI platform monitors and manages water systems dynamically. This digital layer enables predictive maintenance, reduces unplanned downtime, optimizes chemical dosing, and enhances overall operational performance. For data centers striving for round-the-clock uptime, SmartOps provides an intelligent edge.
3. CURE Chemicals for Sustainable Water Treatment:
Gradiant’s proprietary line of CURE chemicals offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional treatment methods. These formulations reduce reliance on harmful reagents and improve system efficiency, allowing customers to meet environmental, health, and safety goals without compromising performance.
Prakash Govindan, COO and co-founder of Gradiant, emphasized the importance of providing customers with a seamless and unified solution. “Only Gradiant offers a fully integrated water platform that brings together physical treatment systems, smart software, and advanced chemistry under one roof,” Govindan said. “Our clients no longer have to juggle multiple vendors or worry about compatibility issues. With Gradiant, they gain a single partner who is accountable for optimizing every drop of water across their operations. This is water innovation without compromise.”
Supporting Sustainable Growth in the Digital Age
The urgency for sustainable data center development cannot be overstated. With the AI boom expected to continue well into the next decade, operators must find ways to balance innovation with environmental stewardship. Gradiant’s solutions are not only helping address the immediate needs of water management but are also laying the foundation for long-term resilience in the face of climate change and regulatory scrutiny.
Moreover, these solutions have proven effective even in the harshest operational environments. Gradiant’s technologies have been successfully deployed in regions where water access is severely limited, demonstrating their ability to maintain performance while adhering to strict sustainability standards. This versatility is especially appealing to global tech giants that aim to expand their footprint in emerging markets without exacerbating local water challenges.
Gradiant’s role is also expanding beyond traditional infrastructure support. By positioning water as a strategic asset rather than a constraint, the company is empowering data center operators to lead in sustainability while staying ahead of regulatory and community expectations.
A Blueprint for the Future of Water and Tech
As the digital economy accelerates, the intersection of water, energy, and technology will become increasingly critical. Companies that proactively adopt sustainable practices will be better positioned to meet stakeholder demands, mitigate risk, and drive innovation. Gradiant is helping to define this new era by showing that sustainability and high performance are not mutually exclusive but can, in fact, be mutually reinforcing.
Through its work with leading AI and cloud providers, Gradiant is building a blueprint for how technology infrastructure can grow responsibly—even in the most water-constrained regions. Its latest contracts reflect not just a business success but a shift in industry priorities, where sustainability is no longer optional, but essential.
