Water has long been an overlooked piece of data center infrastructure, but that is rapidly changing as AI development accelerates across the industry.

In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, DCF Editor in Chief Matt Vincent sits down with Anurag Bajpayee, co-founder and executive chairman of Gradiant, to discuss why water is increasingly emerging alongside power as one of the most important constraints facing future data center development.

Bajpayee explains how hyperscale operators are beginning to view water availability, reuse, discharge management, and community acceptance as strategic business issues rather than simply sustainability concerns.

He also discusses Gradiant's end-to-end approach to industrial water treatment, including advanced recycling technologies, AI-driven operational optimization, and the company's vision for helping data centers become less dependent on municipal water supplies.

Among the topics touched on:

• Why operator interest in water strategy has surged over the past 12 to 24 months

• How water availability is becoming a siting, permitting, and business continuity issue for AI campuses

• The concept of "controlling your water destiny"

• Turning wastewater into a resource through recycling and reuse

• How AI can optimize water treatment operations in real time

• What data centers can learn from the semiconductor industry's evolution in water management

• The water implications of direct liquid cooling and next-generation AI infrastructure

• Why water stewardship is increasingly becoming a business strategy rather than solely an environmental initiative

As AI infrastructure scales to unprecedented levels, the industry's resource challenges are expanding beyond power alone. This conversation offers a timely look at why water is becoming a critical component of data center planning, operations, and long-term growth.

Listen now to hear how Gradiant views the future of water infrastructure in the AI era and why operators are increasingly seeking greater control over one of their most essential resources.