Thirsty data centers fuel local angst over water infrastructure

The escalating water consumption by data centers, particularly those using water for cooling AI servers, is intensifying public concern and creating infrastructure strain across the United States. While attention has often focused on energy costs, the financial burden of expanding water and sewer infrastructure to accommodate data center growth is becoming a contentious issue. Some facilities can consume millions of gallons daily, prompting utilities nationwide to plan significant upgrades. In Columbus, Ohio, a growing tech hub with numerous data centers, Columbus Water and Power is implementing an 18 percent increase in water rates and an 8 percent increase in sewer rates to fund capital projects, with residents increasingly attributing these rising costs to data center demand. John Newsome, the water department administrator, noted the impact of large users on water capacity, while an Ohio EPA study projects a 120 percent increase in central Ohio's industrial water demands by 2050, warning of potential shortfalls. Similarly, a proposed Google data center in Botetourt County, Virginia, has drawn scrutiny for its projected water use, potentially reaching 8 million gallons per day. While Google asserts it will cover direct site water costs and explore water efficiency measures, an agreement between the county and the Western Virginia Water Authority indicates the project could strain existing supplies. Botetourt County plans to allocate up to $300 million for a regional study to identify new water sources, with officials suggesting tax revenue from Google will offset taxpayer contributions. However, local residents, including Julie Bivins of the Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance, are questioning the equity of funding these improvements. Experts like Shaolei Ren of UC Riverside highlight the need for data centers to fully cover the costs of water infrastructure, especially given the potential mismatch between facility lifespans and the much longer service life of water infrastructure.