Drought and Heat: Rapid City, proposed Sequitor Edge data center poised to address drought challenges
A proposed Sequitor Edge data center in Rapid City, South Dakota, is highlighted for its water-efficient closed-loop cooling system amidst ongoing drought conditions. City officials affirm that Rapid City's water infrastructure is prepared for future growth, including the data center's planned water usage of 65,000 gallons initially and 110,000 gallons annually for operations. This usage is significantly lower than traditional data centers and less than two average households.
More than half of South Dakota is experiencing drought conditions, with western South Dakota showing particularly low soil moisture levels. This has raised concerns among water managers in Rapid City as new developments, including the planned Sequitor Edge data center, move forward. Laura Edwards, South Dakota State Climatologist, noted that warmer temperatures have exacerbated the drought.
However, the Sequitor Edge data center, slated for the Black Hills Industrial Center, is designed with a closed-loop cooling system, making its water demands relatively low. The facility anticipates using 65,000 gallons of water for its initial phase and approximately 110,000 gallons annually for ongoing operations, which is less than the annual consumption of two typical Rapid City households and significantly less than traditional data centers. Victoria Blatchford, Vice President of Community Relations and Business Development for Sequitor Edge, shared her personal understanding of drought, having grown up in the region's ranchland.
Rapid City's Water Manager, Eric Boyda, indicated that the city's water supply is currently in good standing, with Deerfield Reservoir nearly full and Pactola Reservoir at 81% capacity. Boyda stated that the city produced 3.6 billion gallons of water last year and that their master plan projects the existing water portfolio can accommodate typical growth through 2115, emphasizing continuous investment in a redundant and resilient water system.