Did you know forty percent of all current semiconductor manufacturing facilities are situated in catchments expected to face the most severe water stress risks by 2030? Recognising this growing challenge, AWS has been working closely with industry partners to help companies better understand water risks across the information and communication technology (tech/ICT) sector and take water stewardship action, extending beyond their own operations.
AWS partnerships in tech
As part of this work, AWS has built a strategic partnership with the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). Together, the two organisations have collaborated for several years to advance the uptake of water stewardship in the tech sector through development of a series of resources on water risk and stewardship*. The most recent tool in this series is a Guide to Water Risk and Stewardship, provides practical guidance for tech companies on identifying water risks and implementing water stewardship approaches. The guide emphasises that many water-related challenges are shared within a catchment and require place-based, collaborative solutions involving multiple stakeholders.
AWS also continues to engage with industry organisations such as SEMI and leading tech companies to promote responsible water management across the semiconductor value chain. The importance of these issues was reflected at the recent AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum, where the tech sector and its growing water footprint emerged as one of the key topics of discussion in a finance-focussed session.
The tech sector in Japan
Japan is just one example of a region experiencing rapid growth in data centre development, driven by increasing demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure. Japan is already home to 222 data centre as of 2025, and it is forecasted that annual investment in new and expanded data centres will exceed ¥1 trillion by 2028, driven by AI and hyperscale cloud demand. While these facilities are essential to the digital economy, depending on the technology and location used, they may require significant amounts of water.
As more data centres are planned and constructed across Japan, concerns are emerging about their potential impacts on local water resources, particularly in regions already facing water stress or competing water demands. As part of this discussion, we spoke with Ms. Kaori Ogino from Kurita Water Industries, one of the founding members of Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group (JWS), about emerging water risks in the tech sector and how the company is supporting semiconductor and technology companies on their water stewardship journeys. Watch the video below to learn more:
Kurita interview highlights
- The ICT industry relies heavily on water, both in terms of quantity and quality, especially semiconductor manufacturing, where large volumes of ultra-pure water are essential for production.
- Ultra-pure water is critical for chip quality, as even tiny contaminants can affect semiconductor performance and reliability.
- Water recycling is already common, with many semiconductor facilities reusing 60-80% of their water to improve efficiency and reduce demand.
- AI growth is increasing water demand, as advanced chip manufacturing and water-cooled data centres require significant water resources.
- Water stewardship helps businesses manage water risks, by promoting collaboration with communities and stakeholders to secure sustainable water supplies and build long-term resilience.
Multistakeholder collaboration in Kumamoto
One example of water use in the tech sector comes from Kumamoto, where collective action is taking place to help manage and protect local water resources. In Kumamoto, where the Global Nature Positive Summit 2026 was held, JWS members Suntory and MS&AD, together with other partners, recently launched the Kumamoto Water Positive Design Center (WPDC) and published its first white paper, ‘Recharging the Future: The Kumamoto Model for Water-Positive Growth in the Age of AI-Driven Industry.’ The initiative aims to promote groundwater recharge, enhance watershed resilience and foster collaboration among businesses, researchers, financial institutions and local communities. As digital infrastructure expands, initiatives such as the Kumamoto Water Positive Design Center demonstrate how cross-sector collaboration can help balance economic development with the sustainable management of shared water resources.
AWS also continues to engage with industry organisations such as SEMI and leading tech companies to promote responsible water management across the semiconductor value chain. The importance of these issues was reflected at the recent AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum, where the tech sector and its growing water footprint emerged as one of the key topics of discussion in a finance-focussed session.
With the demands for data centres, semiconductors and digital technologies continuing to grow, companies in the tech industry need to work collaboratively to ensure they are protecting water resources for their business, the communities they operate in and the environment. There are already companies leading the way on water stewardship in this industry in Japan and beyond. To find out more about water stewardship in the tech sector, get in touch with AWS.
* Some reports in this series were made possible by a multi-year partnership between Apple and AWS to catalyse uptake of water stewardship throughout ICT supply chains.
