ABC-7 at 5: El Paso Water reassures public on Meta data center’s water usage
El Paso Water CEO John Balliew addressed public concerns during a city council meeting about the potential impact of Meta's new $10 billion data center on the city's water supply. He reassured residents that the facility's water demand, estimated at 480,000 gallons per day on average, would not threaten El Paso's long-term water supply and compared its usage to that of a golf course.
El Paso Water CEO John Balliew responded to public concerns during a City Council meeting regarding the water usage of Meta's new $10 billion data center in northeast El Paso. Residents have expressed worry that the facility could place excessive demand on the local water supply.
Balliew reassured the public, stating that the data center's water demand is lower than commonly believed. He presented figures indicating an average daily usage of approximately 480,000 gallons per year, with a maximum cap of 2.5 million gallons per day that would only be reached under extreme, unrecorded temperatures for El Paso. Balliew emphasized that the facility's water usage would not jeopardize El Paso's long-term water supply, drawing a comparison to the water consumption of a golf course or a residential development, which he noted typically do not draw such public scrutiny.
Meta has acknowledged the presentation and stated its data center is a long-term investment in the region. Construction for the facility is currently underway near the state line.