Water rights dispute erupts over proposed Imperial Valley data center
A data center developer in Imperial Valley, California, has filed a lawsuit to secure 260 million gallons of Colorado River water annually, reversing its prior commitment not to use river water. This legal action has ignited intense opposition from local leaders and environmental advocates concerned about water resources and grid stability. Advocacy groups are calling for a state-wide moratorium on AI data centers due to their high water and energy demands.
A significant conflict has emerged in California's Imperial Valley regarding a proposed 950,000-square-foot data center campus near the City of Imperial. The private developer, previously stating the project would not require Colorado River water, has now filed a lawsuit to secure 260 million gallons of water annually, sparking outrage from elected officials and environmental groups.
The project, planned for an unincorporated 74-acre site, would draw up to 330 megawatts of power. The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) adopted Resolution No. 37-2025 in December 2025, mandating that developers fully fund any infrastructure upgrades necessitated by large industrial projects. IID officials, including Division 1 Director Alex Cárdenas and Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio, have expressed serious concerns about grid stability and the protection of the region's senior water rights, warning that data centers would be subject to interruptible power.
Environmental advocacy group Food & Water Watch has sharply criticized the developer's move, estimating that AI data centers could consume as much water as 18.5 million households by 2028. Andrea Vega, Los Angeles Organizing Manager for Food & Water Watch, called for immediate state intervention and a moratorium on water-guzzling data centers, highlighting the existing strain on the Colorado River from agribusiness. The City of El Centro also issued an emergency notification to clarify it has made no commitments to support the project.