Data centers have to report water usage, under new Utah law

The State of Utah has enacted a new law requiring data center operators to report their water usage. Sponsored by Representative Jill Koford, the legislation mandates that developers provide estimated water consumption data 90 days prior to construction, followed by annual reports. This new requirement, which went into effect recently, applies to all data centers, including a planned facility in Box Elder County that has been a subject of local criticism. Representative Koford clarified that the law was not a direct response to a specific data center project, but rather a proactive measure developed during discussions about broader water policy and efforts to protect the Great Salt Lake. With the anticipated growth of the AI industry and the development of data centers, Utah leaders sought to establish "guardrails" to monitor resource consumption. Koford noted that while many data center operators are transitioning away from water-intensive cooling methods towards air cooling, the legislation aims to ensure all incoming industries are mindful of Utah's critical water resources. She emphasized the importance of data centers being "good partners" in water conservation within the state.