A leaked internal document reveals Amazon's strategy to keep its data centres' water usage secret, projecting consumption to reach 7.7 billion gallons annually by 2030. Despite concerns over transparency and environmental impact, Amazon has not publicly disclosed its water consumption, focusing instead on controlling potential reputational risks associated with higher figures. The company aims to reduce its primary water use while minimizing public discourse on secondary usage linked to electricity generation.

A leaked document reveals that Amazon strategized to keep its datacentres' full water use secret, fearing reputational damage from transparency. While the company claims to manage water efficiency, it has faced criticism for not disclosing comprehensive water consumption figures, unlike competitors Microsoft and Google. Amazon's ongoing "Water Positive" campaign aims to improve water efficiency without addressing secondary water use in its disclosures.