Can Canton spare enough water for 4 proposed data centers?
Canton has agreed to supply water to four proposed hyperscale data centers, which could collectively use an estimated 1.7 million gallons per day during peak demand. City officials say Canton has sufficient excess capacity, while residents and conservation advocates are concerned about direct and indirect water consumption.
Canton officials say the city has enough water capacity to serve three proposed hyperscale data centers in Canton and another facility under development in Perry Township. The projects could consume an estimated 1.7 million gallons of city water per day at peak usage, roughly one-quarter of Canton's reported 7 million gallons of daily excess capacity.
Mayor William V. Sherer II and Water Superintendent Tyler Converse said the system was designed to support large industrial users and that developers would pay for any required water infrastructure upgrades. Sherer also said the city may establish a higher industrial water rate for large-volume users.
Residents and conservation groups have raised concerns about the cumulative impact of data center water use. Helena Volzer of the Alliance for the Great Lakes said limited reporting requirements make usage difficult to evaluate and noted that data centers can also increase indirect water demand through electricity generation.