New requirements for data centers in Atlanta being discussed
The Atlanta City Council is considering new requirements for data centers within the city. The proposed ordinance would mandate a transition to closed-loop water-cooling systems and prevent the use of portable drinking water for routine cooling operations. These requirements will now be reviewed by the city utilities committee.
The Atlanta City Council is currently discussing new regulations for data centers operating within the city limits. District 12 Councilmember Antonio Lewis introduced an ordinance that would mandate data centers connected to Atlanta's municipal water system to adopt closed-loop water-cooling systems. The proposal also aims to prohibit the use of potable drinking water for standard data center cooling processes, integrating these requirements into permits issued by the Department of Watershed Management.
Councilmember Lewis emphasized that these requirements would be directly incorporated into permits issued by the Department of Watershed Management for both new and existing facilities. The proposed regulations are now slated for review by the Atlanta City Utilities Committee as the next step in the legislative process.