In a country facing its worst drought in 74 years, Google's plan to construct a data center in Uruguay has ignited a wave of anger and protest.
The project, set to consume millions of liters of water daily, has drawn criticism for prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of its citizens.
With the government resorting to desperate measures like mixing saltwater into the drinking supply, tensions are running high as Uruguayans fight for access to clean water.
Drought-Stricken Uruguay Angered by Google Data Center Plan
The Guardian reports that the drought-stricken nation declared a state of emergency in its capital, Montevideo, where water shortages have reached critical levels.
To make matters worse, public drinking water supplies have been tainted with salty water, causing an uproar among the population.
Activists and researchers argue that water resources are funneled towards transnational corporations and agribusiness, leaving citizens to suffer the consequences.
Daniel Peña, a researcher at the University of the Republic in Montevideo, highlighted the alarming situation: "Only a tiny proportion of water in Uruguay is used for human consumption. The majority is used for big agro-industries, such as soya, rice, and wood pulping. Now we have Google planning to use enormous quantities of water."
Google's Controversial Data Center
Google's proposed data center in the Canelones department is poised to be water-intensive.
According to figures from the Ministry of Environment, the center would consume a staggering 7.6 million liters of water each day, equivalent to the domestic daily use of 55,000 people.
What is more concerning is that the water would be sourced directly from the public drinking water system, exacerbating the crisis.
While Google claims that the project is still in the exploratory phase and that preliminary figures may undergo adjustments, the local industry ministry suggests that the company is revising its plans to build a smaller data center.
Bnamericas reports that the multinational tech giant insists that sustainability is a core value and promises to work closely with national and local authorities throughout the process.
Uruguay's Severe Drought
The Guardian also reports that Uruguay's president, Luis Lacalle Pou, has implemented emergency measures to address the crisis, including lifting taxes on bottled water and providing two liters of free water daily to 21,000 impoverished or vulnerable families. Additionally, plans are underway to construct a new reservoir within 30 days.
However, these efforts have not quenched public concerns entirely.
With slogans like "This is not drought, it's pillage" scrawled across Montevideo's walls, the frustration is palpable. Tap water remains undrinkable for a significant portion of the population, highlighting the urgency of addressing water mismanagement and prioritizing citizens' well-being over corporate interests.
Uruguay has also approved the installation of Google's Firmina fiber optic undersea cable, which will be the world's longest cable with single-ended power supply capability.The new cable is planned to go live this year.
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