I wanted to see how widespread this nonsense is, because the outlets seen in your screenshots aren't exactly the worst MSM has to offer (although, that's debatable).

Not surprisingly, it's "all over the internet". For example:

1. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67564205
2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231129112406.htm
3. https://techxplore.com/news/2023-11-bitcoin-transaction-backyard-pool.html
4. https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/11/29/just-one-bitcoin-transaction-consumes-the-same-amount-of-water-used-to-fill-a-swimming-poo
5. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2404219-a-single-bitcoin-transaction-uses-enough-water-to-fill-a-swimming-pool/
6. https://article.wn.com/view/2023/11/30/A_single_bitcoin_transaction_uses_enough_water_to_fill_a_swi/
7. https://bashk.tv/en/news/article/266384/Every-Bitcoin-payment-uses-a-swimming-pool-of-water
8. https://www.iscaninfo.com/article/14163443/Every-Bitcoin-payment-%27uses-a-swimming-pool-of-water%27
9. https://www.gocryptoblogs.com/learning/what-is-blockchain/every-bitcoin-payment-uses-a-swimming-pool-of-water/
10. https://uk.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/bitcoin-transactions-water-consumption-rivals-swimming-pools-says-new-study-93CH-3253512
11. https://www.firstpost.com/tech/the-real-cost-of-bitcoin-each-transaction-uses-about-a-swimming-pools-worth-of-water-13449212.html
12. https://bbcgossip.com/science-tech/every-bitcoin-payment-uses-a-swimming-pool-of-water/
13. https://ca.movies.yahoo.com/every-bitcoin-payment-uses-swimming-155942987.html
14. https://www.onenewspage.com/n/World/1zpogenpek/Every-Bitcoin-payment-uses-swimming-pool-of.htm
15. https://www.bollyinside.com/news/technology/new-study-shows-bitcoin-transactions-use-equivalent-of-a-backyard-swimming-pool-of-water/
16. https://www.gocryptoblogs.com/learning/what-is-blockchain/every-bitcoin-payment-uses-a-swimming-pool-of-water/