Introduction

Residents on Indonesia's Batam island are raising alarms over severe water shortages, pointing to the rapid expansion of data centres as a key factor. As the island positions itself as a digital hub, locals say their taps have run dry while nearby server farms appear to have ample supply.

What Happened

Hundreds of residents stormed a data centre compound in Nongsa Digital Park, brandishing empty bottles and jerry cans after months of dry taps. Dewi Susanti, a village resident, told the BBC that her community has gone three months without reliable water, blaming the nearby facilities for diverting supply. Batam's water utility acknowledged the pressure on reservoirs, though it attributed the shortage to a prolonged dry spell linked to a historic El Niño.

The island's six artificial reservoirs, which serve its 1.3 million people, are critically low. Environmental group Akar Bhumi Indonesia simulations suggest Nongsa reservoir could dry up within a month without rain. In response, authorities have ordered new data centre operators to build their own desalination plants, but residents remain skeptical.

Why This Matters

The Batam conflict reflects a growing global tension as tech companies invest billions in AI infrastructure. Research suggests a typical data centre consumes as much water as 1,000 average households daily, and a large 50MW facility can rival 2,200 homes. While electricity powers the servers, water-based cooling systems keep them from overheating, placing intense pressure on local supplies. Across the strait, Singapore's own data centre pause and subsequent shift to Batam and Johor illustrate how digital expansion ripples across borders. Residents worry that without transparent water-use data, their needs will continue to compete with server farms.

Professor Agus Hasan of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology emphasizes that rational, transparent development is essential. Those kept in the dark while their taps run dry will push back, and rightly so, he said.

Key Takeaways

  • Over 10 data centres have been approved for Batam, with six planned for Nongsa Digital Park.
  • Residents have gone months without reliable water, relying on tanker trucks that deliver dirty, cloudy and smelly supply.
  • Batam's reservoirs are fed by rainwater, and simulations warn Nongsa reservoir could run dry within weeks.
  • Authorities have mandated that new data centres build their own desalination plants.
  • By 2030, data centre power demand on the island is expected to exceed 1,100MW, enough to power nearly a million homes.

Conclusion

The clash between digital expansion and basic water needs highlights the urgency of transparent planning and sustainable infrastructure. As Batam continues to attract billions in tech investment, residents are demanding that authorities prioritize their water security. Without clear data and responsible development, the risk of further conflict remains high. As one local resident put it, We are not asking for anything extravagant. We just want our water supply restored.