Questions grow over water use at massive QTS Data Center in Eagle Mountain

A significant QTS Data Center campus, known as SLC1, is being developed in Eagle Mountain, Utah, in partnership with Layton Construction. The project recently reached a key construction milestone with the topping out of its third building. While QTS promotes the campus as a substantial economic driver for the region, promising over 2,000 construction jobs, around 100 permanent positions, and local tax revenue, its environmental claims regarding water use are attracting scrutiny. QTS asserts that the campus will employ a "closed-loop cooling system" that, once fully operational, will not draw from or consume local water resources for cooling. However, experts note that even closed-loop systems in high-desert environments like Utah can still require some water input due to design, maintenance, or backup systems. This issue is particularly sensitive in Utah, a state frequently affected by drought and ongoing water conservation debates. Eagle Mountain, one of Utah's fastest-growing cities, is already navigating the complexities of balancing rapid development with sustainable resource management. Although QTS has committed to community communication, local officials and residents are expected to demand detailed data on the cooling system's real-world performance to verify the company's near-zero water use promise as the campus approaches full operation. Construction began in late 2025 and is proceeding through multiple phases.