Ohio Data Centers' Water Usage Revealed Through Public Records, Prompting Legislative Scrutiny
An investigation using public records revealed data centers, including Google's, are significant water users in central Ohio, but overall consumption remains manageable for the Columbus water system. Transparency around water use is a challenge due to trade secrets and state laws, prompting Ohio legislators to consider mandatory reporting requirements. The Columbus water department is also exploring using recycled wastewater for industrial cooling.
An investigation using public records from Columbus Water & Power revealed that data centers, including Google's facilities in New Albany and Columbus, are among the top water consumers in central Ohio. Google's New Albany data center alone used over 1 billion gallons last year, exceeding the consumption of the nearby suburb of Bexley, while its Columbus facility used approximately 448 million gallons. Despite these figures, John Newsome, Columbus's water administrator, stated that data centers account for about 3% of the water department's total consumption, which he considers a manageable burden on the system’s daily capacity of 245 million gallons, well above the 156 million gallons currently supplied.
The article highlights a broader challenge in obtaining clear data on data center water use, with operators often citing competition and trade secrets. Ohio is one of several states where legislators are considering mandatory water reporting requirements for the industry to aid conservation efforts. The Ohio General Assembly previously enacted confidentiality rules for economic development assistance applications, though these were narrowed in June 2026.
Amidst these discussions, the Columbus water department is exploring innovative solutions, such as developing a separate pipeline system to supply recycled wastewater for cooling to data centers and other industrial businesses in an area south of the city. Panattoni Development Company's Adam Kramer and Google's Suzie Shin emphasize that cooling solutions are climate-specific and depend on local water infrastructure and availability. Helena Volzer of the Alliance for the Great Lakes advocates for disclosure requirements for all large water users to ensure sustainable water management, especially given the rise of hyperscale facilities in water-rich regions like the Great Lakes.